Seven Network (Operations) Ltd v Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia & Ors [2001] FCA 456

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Seven Network (Operations) Ltd v Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia & Ors [2001] FCA 456

INDUSTRIAL LAW – Union threatens industrial action – whether threats made with intention to coerce the employer to enter into an enterprise agreement – whether intention that action be protected action is a defence – whether a union may initiate a bargaining period on behalf of employees who are not eligible to be members – whether union officers are personally liable

Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth) ss 170NC(1), 170MI, 170MI(1)(c), 170MI(3)(a), 170MI(3)(e), 170ML(2)(d), 170MO, 170MO(1)(d), 170(2)(b) and Div 2 Pt VIB

Quickenden v Commissioner O'Connor of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission [2001] FCA 303 - cited He Kaw Teh v The Queen (1985) 157 CLR 523 - discussed Giorgianni v The Queen (1984) 156 CLR 473 - discussed The Queen v Crabbe (1985) 156 CLR 464 - cited Cadbury Schweppes Pty Ltd v Australian Liquor Hospitality & Miscellaneous Workers' Union [2000] FCA 1793 - discussed Finance Sector Union of Australia v Commonwealth Bank of Australia [2000] FCA 1468 - applied National Union of Workers v Qenos [2001] FCA 178 - cited Ansett Transport Industries (Operations) Pty Ltd v Australian Federation of Air Pilots [1991] 1 VR 637 - cited Hanley v Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union (2000) 100 FCR 530 - cited Root Control Technologies Pty Ltd v Root Quality Pty Ltd (2001) 177 ALR 231 - discussed Briginshaw v Briginshaw (1938) 60 CLR 336 – cited Maritime Union of Australia v Geraldton Port Authority (1999) 93 FCR 34 – cited The Employment Advocate v National Union of Workers (2000) 100 FCR 454 - cited SEVEN NETWORK (OPERATIONS) LIMITED v COMMUNICATIONS, ELECTRICAL, ELECTRONIC, ENERGY INFORMATION, POSTAL PLUMBING AND ALLIED SERVICES UNION OF AUSTRALIA ("CEPU") AND OTHERS V 631 OF 2000 JUDGE: MERKEL J DATE: 26 APRIL 2001 PLACE: MELBOURNE