UGL Rail Services Pty Ltd v Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia [2024] FCA 860

Federal Court of Australia

UGL Rail Services Pty Ltd v Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia [2024] FCA 860 File number(s): QUD 377 of 2024

Judgment of: COLLIER J

Date of judgment: 2 August 2024

Catchwords: INDUSTRIAL LAW – interlocutory application for orders restraining further steps in private arbitration before Fair Work Commission – principles explained by High Court in Australian Broadcasting Corporation v O'Neill [2006] HCA 46; (2006) 227 CLR 57 – submission that relief sought constituted anti-suit injunction – issues in contention between parties potentially enlivened civil remedy claims under Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) – substantive relief sought concerned entitlements under enterprise agreement – workplaces on relevant days barred with chains and padlocks – whether workers "attended" for work – whether "industrial action" under s 19(1)(c) Fair Work Act – whether serious question to be tried – whether damages adequate remedy – balance of convenience and interests of justice

Legislation: Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) ss 19, 50, 474, 475, 539, 739

Cases cited: Australian Broadcasting Corporation v O'Neill [2006] HCA 46; (2006) 227 CLR 57 CSR Ltd v Cigna Insurance Australia Ltd (1997) 189 CLR 345; [1997] HCA 33 TCL Air Conditioner (Zhongshan) Co Ltd v The Judges of the Federal Court of Australia [2013] HCA 5 Adams v Director of the Fair Work Building Industry Inspectorate (2017) 258 FCR 257; [2017] FCAFC 228 Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union v ALS Industrial Australia Pty Ltd (2015) 235 FCR 305; [2015] FCAFC 123 Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union v BHP Coal Pty Ltd (2015) 230 FCR 298; [2015] FCAFC 25 Endeavour Energy v Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia [2016] FCAFC 82 Energy Australia Yallourn Pty Ltd v Automotive, Food, Metal, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union [2018] FCAFC 146 Pegasus Leasing Ltd v Cadoroll Pty Ltd (1996) 59 FCR 152 Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC v Bega Cheese Ltd [2018] FCA 549 National Tertiary Education Union v Monash University [2022] FCA 1368 Teys Australia Beenleigh Pty Ltd v Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union [2015] FCA 1033 Transport Workers Union of Australia v Lee (1998) 80 IR 106, [1998] FCA 173 Jacobs S, Injunctions: Law and Practice (Thomson Reuters 2023)