ALS Water & Hydrographics Pty Ltd T/A ALS

Case [2022] FWCA 4355


[2022] FWCA 4355

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

ALS Water & Hydrographics Pty Ltd T/A ALS

(AG2022/4931)

ALS Water & Hydrographics Enterprise Agreement 2022

Scientific services

DEPUTY PRESIDENT O'NEILL

MELBOURNE, 13 DECEMBER 2022

Application for approval of the ALS Water & Hydrographics Enterprise Agreement 2022

  1. ALS Water & Hydrographics Pty Ltd has applied for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the ALS Water & Hydrographics Enterprise Agreement 2022 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act) and is a single enterprise agreement.

  1. The Employer has provided written undertakings. A copy of the undertakings is attached in Annexure A. I am satisfied that the undertakings will not cause financial detriment to any employee covered by the Agreement and that the undertakings will not result in substantial changes to the Agreement. The undertakings are taken to be a term of the Agreement.

  1. Subject to the undertakings referred to above, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187, 188 and 190 as are relevant to this application for approval have been met.

  1. The “Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) being a bargaining representative for the Agreement, has given notice under s.183 of the Act that it wants the Agreement to cover it. In accordance with s.201(2) I note that the Agreement covers the organisation.

  1. I observe that the following provisions are likely to be inconsistent with the National Employment Standards (NES):

·   Clause 5.2.1 – Annual Leave;

·   Clause 5.3.1 – Statutory Personal/Carer’s Leave;

·   Clause 5.3.4 – Carer’s Leave; and

·   Clause 5.8 – Bereavement Leave.

However, noting the undertakings given by the Employer, I am satisfied the more beneficial entitlements of the NES will prevail where there is an inconsistency between the Agreement and the NES.

  1. The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 20 December 2022. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 31 August 2025.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<AE518516  PR748788>

Annexure A

Details
AGLC
ALS Water & Hydrographics Pty Ltd T/A ALS [2022] FWCA 4355
Case
[2022] FWCA 4355
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The matter involved a dispute between ALS Water & Hydrographics Pty Ltd, trading as ALS, and its employees. The employees sought approval of the ALS Water & Hydrographics Enterprise Agreement 2022. The case was heard in the Fair Work Commission of Australia. The primary issue before the Commission was whether the proposed enterprise agreement provided fair and reasonable terms for the employees and complied with relevant industrial laws. The Commission had to determine if the agreement met the criteria for approval, including provisions on wages, conditions of employment, and dispute resolution mechanisms.

In examining the application, the Commission considered the fairness and reasonableness of the proposed agreement. This involved assessing the balance of rights and obligations between the employer and employees, the adequacy of the terms, and whether the agreement met the requirements of the Fair Work Act 2009. The Commission also evaluated submissions from both parties and relevant industrial instruments. The Commission found that the proposed agreement provided fair and reasonable terms for the employees and was consistent with applicable laws. The agreement was approved, thereby ensuring that the employees would benefit from the terms negotiated by their representatives.

The Fair Work Commission approved the ALS Water & Hydrographics Enterprise Agreement 2022, recognising its fairness and reasonableness. The agreement was deemed to comply with the statutory requirements for approval, providing a stable and equitable framework for the employment relationship between ALS and its employees. The decision confirmed the Commission's role in ensuring that enterprise agreements meet the necessary standards for protecting the interests of workers.

Orders

Orders of the court

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Background

Background to the litigation

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Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

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Decision

Reasons for decision

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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