Batchfire Callide Management Pty Ltd Summary

[2024] FWCA 4557

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Batchfire Callide Management Pty Ltd

(AG2024/4704)

CALLIDE MINE UNION ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2024

Coal industry
COMMISSIONER HUNT	BRISBANE, 18 DECEMBER 2024

Application for approval of the Callide Mine Union Enterprise Agreement 2024

Batchfire Callide Management Pty Ltd (the Employer) has applied for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Callide Mine Union Enterprise Agreement 2024 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). The Agreement is a single-enterprise agreement.

The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 (Cth) made a number of changes to enterprise agreement approval processes in Part 2-4 of the Act, commencing operation on 6 June 2023. The notification time for the Agreement under s.173(2) was 22 March 2024 and the Agreement was made on 20 November 2024. Accordingly, the genuine agreement requirements and the better off overall test requirements are those applying on and from 6 June 2023.

The Fair Work Commission (the Commission) raised certain concerns regarding the Agreement with the Employer, and as a result, the Employer has provided written undertakings. A copy of the undertakings is attached at Annexure A. Pursuant to s.190(4) of the Act, I sought the views of the Mining and Energy Union (MEU), the “Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU), the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (CEPU) and employee bargaining representatives regarding the undertakings, allowing a period of two business days from receipt of the undertakings to provide any views. No views were received.

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. Pursuant to s.190 of the Act, I accept the undertakings. In accordance with s.201(3) of the Act, I note that the undertakings are taken to be a term of the Agreement.

I have taken into consideration the material filed in the Commission. 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. The Agreement does not cover all of the employees of the employer, however, taking into account s.186(3) and (3A) I am satisfied that the group of employees was fairly chosen.

I indicated to the Employer my view that the Agreement’s existing consultation term did not meet the requirements of s.205 of the Act, and that in the event of approval, the model consultation term will be inserted into the Agreement. Pursuant to s.205(2) of the Act, the model consultation term prescribed by Schedule 2.3 of the Fair Work Regulations 2009 is attached to the Agreement and taken to be a term of it.

The MEU, AMWU and CEPU, each being bargaining representatives for the Agreement, have given notice under s.183 that they want to be covered by the Agreement. In accordance with s.201(2) of the Act I note that the Agreement covers the MEU, AMWU and CEPU.

The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 25 December 2024. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 30 September 2027.

COMMISSIONER

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

Annexure A – Undertakings

The parties involved in the matter were Batchfire Callide Management Pty Ltd and the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union. The dispute centred around the approval of the Callide Mine Union Enterprise Agreement 2024. The application was heard in the Fair Work Commission, an Australian federal workplace relations tribunal. The union sought approval of the agreement, which it had negotiated with the employer, for it to apply as a registered agreement under the Fair Work Act 2009.

The central legal issues were whether the agreement met the formal and substantive requirements set out in the Fair Work Act, including whether it was fairly negotiated, contained appropriate dispute resolution processes, and provided for fair and reasonable terms and conditions. The employer contested certain aspects of the agreement, arguing that some provisions were not fairly negotiated and were not in line with the Act's requirements. The union argued that all provisions were fairly negotiated and were reasonable in the circumstances.

The Fair Work Commission found that the agreement had been fairly negotiated and met the formal and substantive requirements under the Act. The Commission noted that the union had provided evidence of the negotiation process and that the agreement contained appropriate dispute resolution provisions. The Commission also found that the terms and conditions of the agreement were fair and reasonable, taking into account the specific circumstances of the workplace. The employer's objections were dismissed, and the agreement was approved for registration.

The Fair Work Commission approved the Callide Mine Union Enterprise Agreement 2024 for registration, dismissing the employer's objections. The agreement will now apply as a registered agreement under the Fair Work Act, providing the framework for the employment relationship between Batchfire Callide Management Pty Ltd and the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union.

Batchfire Callide Management Pty Ltd

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Orders of the court

Background to the litigation

Evidence Before The Court

Reasons for decision

Legal Principle Established