Fair Work Act 2009

s.437 - Application for a protected action ballot order

Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of Cascade Brewery Company Pty Ltd

• [1] This is an application by the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (CEPU 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 Cascade Brewery Company Pty Ltd (Cascade or Employer).

• [2] On 6 August 2025, the Commission was advised that the Employer did not object to the Application.

• [3] Following the Commission seeking clarification about one of the proposed ballot questions, the CEPU sought to delete that element. This appropriately dealt with the issue raised.

• [4] In the circumstances, I have decided to grant leave to amend the application and determine the matter on the papers without holding a hearing.

• [5] On the basis of the material before me, including the declaration of Chris Clark, State Secretary, setting out the steps taken by the CEPU in bargaining with the Employer and that it has been, and is, genuinely trying to reach agreement with Cascade, 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 the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).

• [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 18 September 2025.[1] This also establishes the ballot period for the purpose of s.448A(2) of the Act.

• [8] An Order has been separately issued in PR790415.

• [9] This matter will be assigned to another Member of the Commission to conduct the s.448A compulsory conciliation conference. 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] This is, in effect, 30 working days from the making of the Order and is the minimum period required by the AEC.

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