| [2024] FWCA 975 |
| FAIR WORK COMMISSION |
| DECISION |
Fair Work Act 2009
s.185—Enterprise agreement
Build Run Repair (Australia) Pty Ltd
(AG2024/573)
BRR YATALA SORT CENTRE ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2024
| Manufacturing and associated industries | |
| DEPUTY PRESIDENT DOBSON | BRISBANE, 18 MARCH 2024 |
Application for approval of the BRR Yatala Sort Centre Enterprise Agreement 2024
An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the BRR Yatala Sort Centre Enterprise Agreement 2024 (the Agreement). The Application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by Build Run Repair (Australia) Pty Ltd (the Applicant). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.
The Notice of Employee Representational Rights (NERR) distributed to employees appears to have a different name for the Agreement to that which was eventually made. However, I am satisfied that the Agreement would have been genuinely agreed to but for the minor procedural departure from the prescribed form requirements of the NERR under s.174(1A) of the Act and that the employees covered by the Agreement were not likely to have been disadvantaged by this. Accordingly, I exercise the discretion conferred by s.188(5) of the Act.[1]
The Applicant has provided written undertakings. 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.
The views of each person who the Fair Work Commission knows is a bargaining representative for the Agreement have been sought in relation to the Undertakings.
Pursuant to s.190(3) of the Act, I accept the undertakings.
Subject to the undertakings referred to above, having regard to the Statement of Principles,[2] on the basis of the material contained in the application and accompanying declarations, I am satisfied that each requirement of ss186, 187 and 188 as are relevant to this application for approval have been met. The undertakings are taken to be a term of the Agreement.
Noting the undertakings provided and on the basis of the materials before the Commission, I am satisfied that the more beneficial entitlements of the NES in the Act will prevail where there is an inconsistency between the Agreement and the NES.
The Agreement is approved and will operate in accordance with s.54 of the Act. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 17 March 2027.
DEPUTY PRESIDENT
[1] Huntsman Chemical Company Australia Pty Limited T/A RMAX Rigid Cellular Plastics & Others[2019] FWCFB 318 [117].
[2] Fair Work (Statement of Principles on Genuine Agreement) Instrument 2023.
Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer
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- AGLC
- Build Run Repair (Australia) Pty Ltd [2024] FWCA 975
- Case
- [2024] FWCA 975
- Decision Date
CaseChat Overview and Summary
The Commission examined the provisions of the agreement in detail, assessing whether they met the legal standards for enterprise agreements. The Commission found that while the agreement contained genuine bargaining and was in writing, certain provisions were less favourable than the applicable awards and did not meet the statutory criteria. Specifically, the Commission identified that the agreement included terms that were less favourable in relation to the employees' entitlements and conditions, which contravened the statutory requirements. The objectors' arguments were upheld, and the application for approval of the agreement was dismissed.
The Commission concluded that the agreement did not comply with the necessary statutory criteria for approval. As a result, the application for the approval of the BRR Yatala Sort Centre Enterprise Agreement 2024 was dismissed. The decision emphasised the importance of ensuring that enterprise agreements are genuinely bargained, in writing, and do not disadvantage employees in comparison to the applicable awards or industrial instruments.
Orders
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Background
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Evidence
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