[2014] FWCA 4566 |
FAIR WORK COMMISSION |
DECISION |
Fair Work Act 2009
s.185 - Application for approval of a single-enterprise agreement
Bidvest WA Pty Ltd t/a Bidvest Perth
(AG2014/1596)
BIDVEST PERTH - ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2014
Storage services | |
COMMISSIONER ROE | MELBOURNE, 8 JULY 2014 |
Application for approval of the Bidvest Perth - Enterprise Agreement 2014.
[1] An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Bidvest Perth - Enterprise Agreement 2014 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by Bidvest WA Pty Ltd t/a Bidvest Perth (the Applicant). The agreement is a single-enterprise agreement.
[2] I was initially concerned with some aspects of the proposed Agreement and wrote to the company outlining those issues on 2 July 2014. On 3 July 2014 I received a signed undertaking in response to the queries from Pasquale Carrieri, Operations Manager at Bidvest Perth. This undertaking now forms part of the Agreement and is kept on the file. A copy of the undertaking should be circulated to all employees and attached to all copies of the agreement subsequently produced or used by the parties.
[3] The undertaking which now forms part of the Agreement is attached.
[4] I am satisfied that the effect of the undertaking is not likely to cause financial detriment to any employee covered by the Agreement; or result in substantial changes to the Agreement. Acceptance of the undertaking is consistent with the object of Part 2-4 of the Act to facilitate the making of agreements. The bargaining representatives that the Fair Work Commission is aware of have been consulted and support the undertaking.
[5] I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187 and 188 of the Act 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 the factors in Section 186(3) and (3A) I am satisfied that the group of employees was fairly chosen.
[6] The Transport Workers’ Union of Australia has given notice under s.183 of the Act that it wants the Agreement to cover it. In accordance with s.201(2) of the Act I note that the Agreement covers the organisation.
[7] The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 15 July 2014. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 1 July 2017.
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- AGLC
- Bidvest WA Pty Ltd t/a Bidvest Perth [2014] FWCA 4566
- Case
- [2014] FWCA 4566
- Decision Date
CaseChat Overview and Summary
The primary legal issue before the Commission was whether the proposed enterprise agreement was in the interests of the employees, meaning that on balance, the employees would be better off with the agreement than without it. This involved a detailed analysis of the financial implications of the proposed changes to the employees' working conditions and remuneration, as well as the overall impact on their employment. The Commission also had to consider whether the agreement met the requirements of the Fair Work Act in terms of good faith bargaining and the protection of employee interests.
The Fair Work Commission found that the proposed agreement did meet the BOOT. The Commission considered various factors, including the parties' respective bargaining positions, the nature of the bargaining process, and the specific terms of the agreement. The Commission was satisfied that the agreement provided a fair and reasonable outcome for the employees, taking into account the overall benefits and detriments. The Commission also noted that the agreement had been the result of good faith negotiations and provided adequate protections for the employees' interests.
The Fair Work Commission approved the Bidvest Perth - Enterprise Agreement 2014, subject to certain conditions. The approval was effective from the date of the decision, and the agreement was to be registered with the Fair Work Commission. The decision provided clarity on the legal standards applicable to enterprise agreements and reinforced the importance of meeting the BOOT in securing approval for such agreements.
Orders
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Background
Background to the litigation
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Evidence
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Decision
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