s.437 - Application for a protected action ballot order

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of Wilson Security Pty Ltd - non-AEC ballot electronic voting

[1] This is an application by the United Workers' Union (UWU 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 Wilson Security Pty Ltd (Wilson Security or Employer).

• [2] I note that the UWU has previously made a separate application for a protected action ballot order in relation to the same proposed agreement.[1]

[3] On 19 February 2026, the Commission was advised that the Employer, in effect, did not object to the Application. The Employer did however reserve its future position on one issue associated with the ballot questions. I also observe that the parties agreed for the UWU to give an undertaking to Wilson Security as part of the subsequent notification of protected industrial action to the Employer; being that the UWU would provide five business days of notice. The parties did not seek that this be reflected into the order.

[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 Nicholas Richardson, Trade Union Official, setting out the steps taken by the UWU in bargaining with the Employer and that it has been, and is, genuinely trying to reach agreement with Wilson Security, 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 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 5 March 2026.[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 PR796923.

[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.

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

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer