Bradnams Windows and Doors Pty Ltd

Case [2014] FWCA 4279


[2014] FWCA 4279

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION


Fair Work Act 2009

s.185 - Application for approval of a single-enterprise agreement

Bradnams Windows and Doors Pty Ltd
(AG2014/6464)

BRADNAM’S WINDOWS & DOORS PTY LTD (DISTRIBUTION AND PAINT LINE BOONDALL QLD) ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2014/2017

Manufacturing and associated industries

SENIOR DEPUTY PRESIDENT WATSON

MELBOURNE, 27 JUNE 2014

Application for approval of the Bradnam’s Windows & Doors Pty Ltd (Distribution and Paint Line Boondall Qld) Enterprise Agreement 2014/2017.

[1] An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Bradnam's Windows & Doors Pty Ltd (Distribution and Paint Line Boondall Qld) Enterprise Agreement 2014/2017 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by Bradnams Windows and Doors Pty Ltd. The agreement is a single-enterprise agreement.

[2] The application was not lodged within 14 days after the agreement was made. Pursuant to s.185(3)(b), in all the circumstances I consider it fair to extend the time for making the application to the date it was actually made.

[3] I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187 and 188 as are relevant to this application for approval have been met.

[4] In my view, the Consultative Committee provision in clause 6.4 of the Agreement is not a consultation term which meets the requirements of ss.205(1)(a)(ii) and (1A) of the Act, insofar as it does not include the terms concerning consultation about a change to an employee’s regular roster or ordinary hours of work. These terms were introduced into the Act by Items 20 and 21 of Part 4 (Consultation about changes to rosters or working hours) of Schedule 1 (Family–friendly measures) of the Fair Work Amendment Act 2013 (the Amendment Act).Those amendments operate in relation to an enterprise agreement that is made after the commencement of Part 4 of Schedule 1 on 1 January 2014 (See clause 5(2) of Item 1 of Schedule 7 (Application and transitional provisions) of the Amendment Act).

[5] Section 205(2) of the Act provides that if an “enterprise agreement does not include a consultation term, the model consultation term is taken to be a term of the agreement”. The model consultation term is found in Schedule 2.3 of the Fair Work Regulations 2009.

[6] As required by s.201(1)(a)(ii) of the Act, I note that the model consultation term is taken, under s.205(2), to be a term of the Agreement.

[7] The Australian Workers’ Union 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.

[8] The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54, will operate from 4 July 2014. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 11 June 2017.

SENIOR DEPUTY PRESIDENT

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Details
AGLC
Bradnams Windows and Doors Pty Ltd [2014] FWCA 4279
Case
[2014] FWCA 4279
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Bradnams Windows and Doors Pty Ltd was a party in an application before the Fair Work Commission regarding the approval of the Bradnam’s Windows & Doors Pty Ltd (Distribution and Paint Line Boondall Qld) Enterprise Agreement 2014/2017. The Fair Work Commission was required to decide whether the application for the enterprise agreement should be approved. The dispute involved the terms and conditions of employment for workers at the Boondall distribution and paint line facility of the company.

The legal issues before the Fair Work Commission included whether the enterprise agreement met the criteria for approval under the Fair Work Act 2009, particularly whether it provided for the safety and welfare of employees and whether it was free from any coercion, duress, or improper conduct. The Commission also considered whether the agreement provided for appropriate mechanisms for the resolution of workplace disputes.

The Fair Work Commission, in assessing the application, took into account the submissions from both Bradnams Windows and Doors Pty Ltd and the relevant union, as well as the evidence provided. The Commission found that the agreement met the requirements for approval as it contained provisions for the safety, health, and welfare of employees, provided for appropriate dispute resolution mechanisms, and was not made under any duress or improper conduct. The Commission also noted that the agreement provided for fair and reasonable terms and conditions of employment. Consequently, the application for the enterprise agreement was approved by the Fair Work Commission.

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

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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