s.437 - Application for a protected action ballot order

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of Qantas Airways Limited

• [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 Qantas Airway Limited (Qantas or Employer).

• [2] I note that the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (CEPU) and "Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union" known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU)[1] have each made a separate application for a protected action ballot order in relation to the same proposed enterprise agreement.

• [3] On 30 May 2025, the Commission was advised that the Employer did not, in effect, object to the Application if amended to reflect a consent position clarifying the proposed order reached following discussions between the parties.

• [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 Mark Fagan, Chief Operating Officer, 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 Qantas, 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 Vero Engagement and Voting Solutions Pty Ltd (Vero). Vero 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 the date by which voting is to close is 16 June 2025.[2] This also establishes the ballot period for the purpose of s.448A(2) of the Act.

• [8] An Order has been separately issued in PR787806.

• [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.

[1] B2025/865 and B2025/867 respectively.

[2] 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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