s.437 - Application for a protected action ballot order

Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union & Australian Workers' Union

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of MODEC Management Services Pte Ltd

• [1] This is an application by the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) and the Australian Workers' Union (AWU) (collectively, the Applicants) made jointly under s.437 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act) for a protected action ballot order in relation to certain employees of MODEC Management Services Pte Ltd (MODEC or Employer).

• [2] On 8 April 2025, the Commission was advised that the parties had reached a consent position in relation to the inclusion of an extended notice period for taking protected industrial action.

• [3] In the circumstances, I have decided to amend the application to reflect the consent position reached and otherwise determined the matter on the papers without holding a hearing.

• [4] On the basis of the material before me, including both declarations of Jason Lipscombe, Offshore Alliance Organiser, setting out the steps taken by the Applicants in bargaining with the Employer and that it has been, and is, genuinely trying to reach agreement with MODEC, 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.

• [5] The ballot is to be conducted by Democratic Outcomes Pty Ltd (CiVS). CiVS has been approved as an eligible protected action ballot agent under s.468A of the Act and consequently is authorised to conduct the ballot.

• [6] 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 30 April 2025.[1] This also establishes the ballot period for the purpose of s.448A(2) of the Act.

• [7] I am satisfied that there are relevant exceptional circumstances required by s.443(5), justifying an extended period of written notice for the purposes of s.414(2)(b) of the Act when taking industrial action set out in the Order made by the Commission. The minimum extended notice period of 5 calendar days but not less than 3 working days applies to the items listed within Clause five (5) of the Order.

• [8] An Order has been separately issued in PR785970.

• [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, 11 working days (21 calendar days) from the making of the Order and was the period sought in the application.

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