A Perth electrical contractor, Showcase Pty Ltd t/a Greenco Electrical & Communication Services (Greenco) applied to the AIRC pursuant to s.772 of the Workplace Relations Act 1996 for orders in relation to a dispute about the operation of right of entry provisions.
The WR Act does not allow permit holders to enter workplaces for discussions with employees such as Greenco’s who are all covered either by AWAs or an Employee Collective Agreement.
The company claims that ETU officials have attended sites for the purpose of holding discussion with employees, in some cases without having given the requisite notice provided for in the WR Act. On other occasions the ETU officials have allegedly entered sites purportedly to inspect licences in accordance with the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991 (WA) and then discussed industrial relations matters with employees.
At a conference before Commissioner Williams 6 March 2008, the parties were unable to resolve their differences. The conference was adjourned on 6 March without resolution. On 13 March 2008 the company advised the Commission that it was discontinuing its application.