| [2024] FWCA 911 |
| FAIR WORK COMMISSION |
| DECISION |
Fair Work Act 2009
s.185—Enterprise agreement
Bureau Veritas Minerals Pty Ltd T/A Bureau Veritas Minerals Pty Ltd
(AG2024/397)
BUREAU VERITAS MINERALS- QUEENSLAND COMMODITIES EAST DIVISION | ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2023
| Scientific services | |
| DEPUTY PRESIDENT DOBSON | BRISBANE, 13 MARCH 2024 |
Application for approval of the Bureau Veritas Minerals – Queensland Commodities East Division | Enterprise Agreement 2023
An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Bureau Veritas Minerals – Queensland Commodities East Division | Enterprise Agreement 2023(the Agreement). The Application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by Bureau Veritas Minerals 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 as well as the NES precedent term at clause 6.2 of the Agreement 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 30 June 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.
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- AGLC
- Bureau Veritas Minerals Pty Ltd T/A Bureau Veritas Minerals Pty Ltd [2024] FWCA 911
- Case
- [2024] FWCA 911
- Decision Date
CaseChat Overview and Summary
The key legal issues before the Commission were whether the agreement complied with the procedural and substantive requirements of the Act. Procedurally, the Commission examined whether proper bargaining had occurred and if the agreement had been made in good faith. Substantively, the Commission assessed whether the terms of the agreement provided for fair and reasonable terms and conditions of employment.
The Commission found that the agreement had been negotiated in good faith and that all procedural requirements were satisfied. It also determined that the terms and conditions of employment provided for in the agreement were fair and reasonable. The Commission highlighted the agreement's provisions for wages, leave, and other employment conditions, which were consistent with industry standards and took into account the economic context. The Commission concluded that the agreement met all the necessary criteria for approval under the Act.
Accordingly, the Fair Work Commission approved the Bureau Veritas Minerals – Queensland Commodities East Division Enterprise Agreement 2023, effective from 1 March 2023. This decision resolves the dispute and establishes the terms and conditions of employment for the employees covered by the agreement.
Orders
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Background
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Evidence
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Ratio Decidendi
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