Casella Wines Pty Ltd T/A Casella Family Brands

[2021] FWCA 435

[2021] FWCA 435

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

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

Casella Wines Pty Ltd T/A Casella Family Brands
(AG2020/4123)

CASELLA FAMILY BRANDS ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2020

Wine industry
DEPUTY PRESIDENT ASBURY	BRISBANE, 29 JANUARY 2021

Application for approval of the Casella Family Brands Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2020.

[1] Casella Wines Pty Ltd T/A Casella Family Brands (the Applicant) applies to the Fair Work Commission (the Commission) for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Casella Family Brands Enterprise Agreement 2020 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

[2] Undertakings were provided by the Applicant in response to concerns the Commission held in relation to the operation of certain clauses, whether certain clauses were inconsistent with terms of the National Employment Standards, and whether the Agreement passes the better off overall test. A copy of the Undertakings is attached as Annexure A to this decision. I am satisfied that the effect of accepting the Undertakings is not likely to:

(a) cause financial detriment to any employee covered by the Agreement; or

(b) result in substantial changes to the Agreement.

[3] The views of each person or organisation the Commission knows is a bargaining representative for the Agreement has been sought in relation to the Undertakings. Pursuant to subsection 190(3) of the Act, I accept the Undertakings. In accordance with s.201(3) of the Act, a copy of the undertakings will be attached to the Agreement and forms part of the Agreement.

[4] I am satisfied, on the basis of information set out in the Form F16 Application for approval of an enterprise agreement, the Form F17 Employer’s declaration in support of an application for approval of the Agreement and responses to requests for further information provided by the Applicant, that each of the requirements of ss.l86, 187 and 188 as are relevant to this application for approval have been met. The Agreement does not cover all of the employees of the employer, however, taking into account ss.186(3) and (3A), and on the basis of the information contained in the Form F17, I am satisfied that the group of employees covered by the Agreement was fairly chosen.

[5] The United Workers Union and the Australian Workers Union, being bargaining representatives for the Agreement, have given notice under s.183 of the Act that they want the Agreement to cover them. In accordance with s.201(2) of the Act, and based on the declarations provided by the organisations, I note that the Agreement covers these organisations.

[6] The Agreement is approved in accordance with s.54 of the Act and will operate from 5 February 2021. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 29 January 2024.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<AE510231  PR726506>

Annexure A