s.437 - Application for a protected action ballot order

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of MSF Sugar Pty Ltd

• [1] This is an application by the Australian Workers' Union (AWU 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 MSF Sugar Pty Ltd (MSF Sugar or Employer).

• [2] I note that the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU)[1] and the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (CEPU)[2] have made separate applications for a protected action ballot order in relation to the same proposed enterprise agreement.

• [3] On 17 April 2025, the Commission was advised that the Employer, in effect, did not object to the Application as amended to clarify the group of employees to be balloted.

• [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 Richard Billingham, Organiser, setting out the steps taken by the AWU in bargaining with the Employer and that it has been, and is, genuinely trying to reach agreement with MSF Sugar, 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.

• [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 consequently 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 8 May 2025.[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 PR786262.

• [9] This matter will be assigned to another Member of the Commission to conduct the s.448A compulsory conciliation conference along with the other related matters. 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.

[3] This is, in effect, 10 working days from the making of the Order and was the period sought in the application.

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