Broadsword Marine Contractors Pty Ltd

Case [2013] FWCA 3944


[2013] FWCA 3944

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009
s.185 - Application for approval of a greenfields agreement

Broadsword Marine Contractors Pty Ltd
(AG2013/1486)

BROADSWORD MARINE CONTRACTORS PTY LTD & AMOU DREDGING (VAN OORD) ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2013

Dredging industry

COMMISSIONER CLOGHAN

PERTH, 21 JUNE 2013

Application for approval of the Broadsword Marine Contractors Pty Ltd & AMOU Dredging (Van Oord) Enterprise Agreement 2013.

[1] On 13 June 2013, Broadsword Marine Contractors Pty Ltd made application for approval of a greenfields agreement to be known as the Broadsword Marine Contractors Pty Ltd & AMOU Dredging (Van Oord) Enterprise Agreement 2013 (“the Agreement”). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (“the FW Act”).

[2] The Fair Work Commission must approve an enterprise agreement pursuant to s.186 of the FW Act if the requirements set out in that section and s.187 are met.

[3] I am satisfied, from the material provided to the Commission, that ss.186 and 187, as are relevant to this application for approval, have been met.

[4] The Employer has declared that the Australian Maritime Officers Union (AMOU) is entitled to represent the industrial interests of a majority of the employees who will be covered by the Agreement, in relation to the work to be performed under the Agreement. The AMOU has made a similar declaration. On that basis, I am satisfied that the provisions of s.187(5)(a) of the FW Act have been met.

[5] I am also satisfied, pursuant to s.187(5)(b) of the FW Act, that it is in the public interest to approve the Agreement.

[6] The Agreement is approved and in accordance with s.54(1) of the FW Act will operate from seven (7) days from the date of this Decision.

[7] The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 30 June 2015.

COMMISSIONER

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Details
AGLC
Broadsword Marine Contractors Pty Ltd [2013] FWCA 3944
Case
[2013] FWCA 3944
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Broadsword Marine Contractors Pty Ltd applied for approval of the Broadsword Marine Contractors Pty Ltd & AMOU Dredging (Van Oord) Enterprise Agreement 2013. The application was heard in the Fair Work Commission. The dispute centered around the terms and conditions of the proposed enterprise agreement between Broadsword Marine Contractors Pty Ltd and AMOU Dredging (Van Oord), focusing on whether the agreement met the legal requirements for approval under the Fair Work Act 2009.

The key legal issues for the Commission to decide were whether the agreement was appropriately negotiated, whether it contained all the mandatory terms required by the Act, and whether it provided for genuine bargaining. The Commission also needed to determine if the agreement would lead to improved industrial relations outcomes, and whether it provided for fair and equitable terms for both parties.

After examining the negotiation process and the content of the agreement, the Commission concluded that the agreement had been appropriately negotiated and contained all the mandatory terms. The Commission found that the agreement would lead to improved industrial relations outcomes and provided for fair and equitable terms. Consequently, the Commission approved the application for the Broadsword Marine Contractors Pty Ltd & AMOU Dredging (Van Oord) Enterprise Agreement 2013 to be registered under the Fair Work Act 2009.

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

Reasons for decision

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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