Fair Work Australia (the successor to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission) has granted the Union’s application for a protected action ballot. The application was opposed by St John of God Pathology on the basis that the application was premature and also that they did not want staff to take industrial action – neither of which were accepted as reasons not to grant the application by FWA.

In the ballot members will be asked if they support various types of industrial action in support of reaching agreement for a new EBA with St John of God Pathology. We expect that talks will continue with St John of God during the ballot period. More details to follow regarding the conduct of the ballot.