Carbon Revolution Operations Pty Ltd

Case [2023] FWCA 2033


[2023] FWCA 2033

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Carbon Revolution Operations Pty Ltd

(AG2023/1932)

CARBON REVOLUTION OPERATIONS PTY LTD ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2023-2025

Manufacturing and associated industries

COMMISSIONER MIRABELLA

MELBOURNE, 4 JULY 2023

Application for approval of the Carbon Revolution Operations Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2023-2025.

  1. Carbon Revolution Operations Pty Ltd (the Employer) has made an application for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Carbon Revolution Operations Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2023-2025 (the Agreement) pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

  1. The Employer has provided written undertakings. A copy of the undertakings is attached in Annexure A. 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 undertakings are taken to be a term of the Agreement.

  1. Subject to the undertakings referred to above, and on the basis of the material contained in the application and accompanying declaration, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of sections 186, 187, 188 and 190, as are relevant to this application for approval, have been met.

  1. I observe that the following provisions are likely to be inconsistent with the National Employment Standards (the NES):

  • Clause 5.6 – Personal leave/carer’s leave
  • Clause 5.9 – Compassionate leave
  1. However, I am satisfied that the Employer’s written undertaking in Annexure A means that the more beneficial entitlements of the NES will prevail where there is an inconsistency between the Agreement and the NES.

  1. The “Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing 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) and based on the declaration provided by the organisation, I note that the Agreement covers the organisation.

  1. The Agreement was approved on 4 July 2023 and, in accordance with s.54, will operate from 11 July 2023. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 4 July 2025.

COMMISSIONER

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<AE520627  PR763902>

Annexure A

Details
AGLC
Carbon Revolution Operations Pty Ltd [2023] FWCA 2033
Case
[2023] FWCA 2033
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Carbon Revolution Operations Pty Ltd applied for approval of their Enterprise Agreement 2023-2025. The dispute involved the application for the approval of an enterprise agreement under the Fair Work Act 2009. The decision was handed down by the Fair Work Commission (FWC) in Australia. The key legal issues before the FWC were whether the agreement complied with the statutory requirements of the Fair Work Act and whether it was made in good faith and on a proper basis. Additionally, the FWC considered if the agreement provided for fair and reasonable terms and conditions for the employees involved.

The FWC examined the process by which the agreement was made, including the extent of employee and employer consultation. The Commission also assessed whether the agreement met the requirements for "no disadvantage" as stipulated by the Fair Work Act, ensuring that the agreement did not place employees in a worse position than they would have been in under the applicable award or safety net minimum terms and conditions. The FWC found that the agreement was made in good faith and on a proper basis, with adequate consultation processes in place. Furthermore, the FWC determined that the terms of the agreement did not place employees at a disadvantage compared to the safety net.

In conclusion, the FWC approved the Carbon Revolution Operations Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2023-2025, finding it to be compliant with the statutory requirements of the Fair Work Act. The agreement was approved, effective from the date of the decision, providing the basis for the terms and conditions of employment for the specified period.

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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