"Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union" known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union v The Trustee for Regal Cream Products Trust T/A Bulla Dairy Foods [2026] FWC 2864

1 Fair Work Act 2009 s.437 - Application for a protected action ballot order "Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union" known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union v The Trustee for Regal Cream Products Trust T/A Bulla Dairy Foods (B2026/903) DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON ADELAIDE, 29 JULY 2026 Proposed protected action ballot of employees of The Trustee for Regal Cream Products Trust – non-AEC ballot electronic voting [1] This is an application by the "Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union" known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU or Applicant) made under s.437 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act) for a protected action ballot order in relation to certain employees of The Trustee for Regal Cream Products Trust trading as Bulla Dairy Foods (Bulla Dairy or Employer). [2] I note that the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (CEPU) have recently made a separate application for a protected action ballot order in relation to the same proposed agreement.1 Both the AMWU and CEPU have previously each lodged an additional application in relation to the same proposed agreement.2 [3] On 29 July 2026, the Commission was advised that the Employer did not object to the application. [4] In the circumstances, I have decided to determine the matter on the papers without holding a hearing. [5] On the basis of the material before me, including the declaration of Daniel Yacoub, Industrial Officer, setting out the steps taken by the AMWU in bargaining with the Employer and that it has been, and is, genuinely trying to reach agreement with Bulla Dairy, I am satisfied that there is a notification time in relation to the proposed agreement and that all of the requirements in s.443(1) of the Act have been met. 1 B2026/897. 2 Respectively, B2026/746 and B2026/764. [2026] FWC 2864 DECISION -- 1 of 2 -- [2026] FWC 2864 2 [6] The ballot is to be conducted by Fair Vote Services Pty Ltd (Fair Vote). Fair Vote has been approved as an eligible protected action ballot agent under s.468A of the Act and is authorised to conduct the ballot. [7] For the purposes of s.443(3)(c) of the Act, the Commission has determined that the date by which voting is to close is 12 August 2026.3 This also establishes the ballot period for the purpose of s.448A(2) of the Act. [8] An Order has been separately issued in PR812634. [9] This matter will be assigned to another Member of the Commission to conduct the s.448A compulsory conciliation conference, along with the current related matter. That Member will issue an Order requiring the attendance of all bargaining representatives in the proposed enterprise agreement at the conference. It is likely that Directions will also be issued to ensure that the parties attend the conference ready to conduct meaningful negotiations. DEPUTY PRESIDENT Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer <PR812633> 3 This is, in effect, 10 working days from the making of the Order and was the period sought in the application. -- 2 of 2 --