Bekaert Wire Ropes Pty Ltd T/A BBRG Australia

[2021] FWCA 6278

[2021] FWCA 6278

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009
s.185—Enterprise agreement

Bekaert Wire Ropes Pty Ltd T/A BBRG Australia
(AG2021/7437)

BBRG ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2021

Manufacturing and associated industries
COMMISSIONER HUNT	BRISBANE, 14 OCTOBER 2021

Application for approval of the BBRG Enterprise Agreement 2021.

[1] Bekaert Wire Ropes Pty Ltd T/A BBRG Australia (the Employer) has applied for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the BBRG Enterprise Agreement 2021 (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.

[2] 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 Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) and the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (CEPU) regarding the undertakings, allowing a period of two business days from receipt of the undertakings to provide any views. The AWU advised my chambers that it did not wish to comment on the undertakings provided by the Employer. The CEPU did not provide any response.

[3] 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.

[4] 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.

[5] The AWU and the CEPU being bargaining representatives for the Agreement have given notice under s.183 of the Act that they want the Agreement to cover them. In accordance with s.201(2) of the Act I note that the Agreement covers the AWU and the CEPU.

[6]
The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 21 October 2021. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 31 August 2024.

COMMISSIONER

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

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ANNEXURE A