Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry staff apply to Fair Work Commission for Protected Action

Earlier this week the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) confirmed an application for a protected action ballot on behalf of its Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) members had been lodged with the Fair Work Commission.
 
In response to an enquiry made by Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) to DAFF executive, further advice has been received that the CPSU has lodged an application for a Protected Action Ballot Order seeking to ballot Meat Inspection and Veterinarian employees working, or providing veterinary supervision at, Meat establishments and in Live Animal Export functions. 
 
The ballot will seek the views of departmental meat inspection, veterinary supervisory functions at meat establishments and veterinary officers engaged in live export operations, that are members of the CPSU, as to whether protected industrial action (including work stoppages and/or overtime bans) is supported. 
 
The department will engage and participate in the Fair Work Commission processes relevant to this application and will await the outcomes of the CPSU's application.
 
Any impact on the provision of service by departmental personnel will be assessed once the outcomes of this process is known – expected over the course of the next two-to-three weeks. 

DAFF have committed to keep FTA / APSA informed of the outcomes of the process and any anticipated impact on service that may arise.
 
Based on DAFF executive feedback, any immediate action is not expected to impact the import sector.