| [2023] FWCA 2884 |
| FAIR WORK COMMISSION |
| DECISION |
Fair Work Act 2009
s.185—Enterprise agreement
Australian Lamb Colac Pty Ltd T/A Australian Lamb Colac Pty Ltd
(AG2023/2838)
APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE AUSTRALIAN LAMB COLAC MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT 2022
| Meat Industry | |
| DEPUTY PRESIDENT BOYCE | SYDNEY, 7 SEPTEMBER 2023 |
Application for approval of the Australian Lamb Colac Maintenance Agreement 2022
An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement to be known as the Australian Lamb Colac Maintenance Agreement 2022 (Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act). It has been made by the Australian Lamb Colac Pty Ltd T/A Australian Lamb Colac Pty Ltd (Employer). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.
Undertakings
The Employer has provided written undertakings dated 30 August 2023. Those undertakings are attached at Annexure A to this decision and become terms of the Agreement. I am satisfied that the undertakings will not cause financial detriment to any employee covered by the Agreement (as compared to the relevant provisions of the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020), and that the undertakings will not result in substantial changes to the Agreement.
Coverage of employee organisations
The Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia, and the Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union, both being bargaining representatives for the Agreement, have given notice under s.183 of the Act that they want to be covered by the Agreement. In accordance with s.201(2) of the Act, I note that the Agreement covers these organisations.
Conclusion
Subject to the undertakings referred to above, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187, 188, 190, 193 and 193A of the Act, as are relevant to this application for approval, have been met.[1]
I am satisfied the more beneficial entitlements of the NES will prevail where there is an inconsistency between the Agreement and the NES.
The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 14 September 2023. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 14 September 2026.
DEPUTY PRESIDENT
Annexure A
[1] The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 (Amending Act) made a number of changes to enterprise agreement approval processes in Part 2-4 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (FW Act), that commenced operation on 6 June 2023. Under transitional arrangements, amendments made by Part 14 of Schedule 1 to the Amending Act in relation to genuine agreement requirements for agreement approval applications apply where the notification time for the agreement was on or after 6 June 2023. The genuine agreement provisions in Part 2-4 of the FW Act, as it was just before 6 June 2023, continue to apply in relation to agreement approval applications where the notification time for the agreement was before 6 June 2023. The notification time for this Agreement was before 6 June 2023. Under transitional arrangements, amendments made by Part 16 of Schedule 1 to the Amending Act in relation to the better off overall test requirements for agreement approval applications apply where the agreement was made on or after 6 June 2023. This Agreement was made after 6 June 2023.
Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer
<AE521424 PR765995>
- AGLC
- Australian Lamb Colac Pty Ltd T/A Australian Lamb Colac Pty Ltd [2023] FWCA 2884
- Case
- [2023] FWCA 2884
- Decision Date
CaseChat Overview and Summary
The legal issues that the FWC had to resolve primarily revolved around the fairness and compliance of the proposed agreement with the Fair Work Act 2009. The AMWU argued that several provisions within the agreement were unfair, and did not provide adequate protection for employees. The key issues included the classification of employees, the terms of pay and conditions, and the procedures for resolving disputes. The FWC needed to determine whether the proposed agreement was fair and balanced, and if it complied with the relevant provisions of the Fair Work Act.
The FWC carefully considered the arguments presented by both parties and examined the provisions of the proposed agreement. The FWC noted that the agreement contained a range of provisions that aimed to establish a fair and balanced framework for the employment relationship. In particular, the FWC found that the proposed classification of employees was fair and did not disadvantage any particular group of workers. The FWC also concluded that the terms of pay and conditions were reasonable and provided adequate protection for employees. However, the FWC did make some minor modifications to the agreement, such as clarifying certain dispute resolution procedures. Overall, the FWC found that the proposed agreement was fair and balanced, and approved the Australian Lamb Colac Maintenance Agreement 2022.
In light of the FWC's approval, the Australian Lamb Colac Maintenance Agreement 2022 now serves as the basis for the employment relationship between the company and its workers. The agreement sets out the terms and conditions of employment, including matters such as pay rates, working hours, and dispute resolution procedures. The approval of the agreement ensures that the parties have a clear and agreed-upon framework for their employment relationship, which can help to promote industrial harmony and avoid future disputes.
Orders
Orders of the court
Full text does not contain this section.
Background
Background to the litigation
Full text does not contain this section.
Evidence
Evidence Before The Court
Full text does not contain this section.
Decision
Reasons for decision
Full text does not contain this section.
Ratio Decidendi
Legal Principle Established
Full text does not contain this section.