DECISION

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

CDC Victoria Pty Ltd - Altona Depot t/as CDC Victoria
(AG2014/9908)

CDC VICTORIA PTY LTD ABN 21 006 822 420 - ALTONA DEPOT ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2014

Passenger vehicle transport (non rail) industry
DEPUTY PRESIDENT SAMS	SYDNEY, 8 DECEMBER 2014

Application for approval of the CDC Victoria Pty Ltd ABN 21 006 822 420 - Altona Depot Enterprise Agreement 2014.

[1] This is an application, pursuant to s 185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the ‘Act’), filed by CDC Victoria Pty Ltd - Altona Depot (the ‘applicant’) which seeks the approval of the Fair Work Commission (the ‘Commission’) of a single enterprise agreement to be known as the CDC Victoria Pty Ltd ABN 21 006 822 420 - Altona Depot Enterprise Agreement 2014 (the ‘Agreement’). The Agreement was negotiated with the Transport Workers’ Union of Australia (the ‘Union’) and is to cover 92 employees who are employed as Bus Drivers, Conductors, Ticket Sellers, Cleaners, Greasers and Bowser Attendants based in Altona, Victoria. For the purposes of s 186(3) of the Act, I am satisfied that the group of employees to be covered by this Agreement has been fairly chosen.

[2] The employees were last notified of their representational rights on 14 April 2014, and voting for the Agreement’s approval took place between 3 and 7 November 2014. The time limits under s 181(2) of the Act are thereby satisfied. In a ballot, 56 of the 75 employees who cast a valid vote, agreed to approve the Agreement. The application for approval of the Agreement was lodged on 17 November 2014, thereby satisfying s 185(3) of the Act.

[3] In the Employer’s Declaration in support of the application (Form F17) Mr B Kefford, People and Compliance Manager, identified the Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award 2010 [MA000063] and the Transport Workers (Passenger Vehicles) Award 2002 [AP818060] as the relevant reference instruments for the purposes of the Better Off Overall Test (the ‘BOOT’). Mr Keffordsaid that the Agreement provides for a number of conditions that are in excess of, or are more beneficial than the terms of the relevant reference instruments and that there are no less beneficial terms. The Agreement provides for higher rates of pay, continuous service grants and additional annual leave for shiftworkers who do not regularly work rostered hours on Sundays or public holidays. Rates of pay are to be increased on 1 January and 1 July during the nominal term of the Agreement by reference to percentage changes between average weekly earnings in the preceding May to November and November to May, respectively. I am satisfied that the Agreement passes the BOOT. The Agreement provides for the mandatory flexibility and consultation terms at clauses 18 and 19 respectively. A disputes resolution procedure at clause 12 refers erroneously to Fair Work Australia, but I take this as providing for conciliation and arbitration by the Commission.

[4] The Union had filed a Declaration in relation to the application (Form 18) supporting the approval of the Agreement and giving notice that it wishes to be covered by the Agreement (s 183). For the purposes of s 201(2) of the Act, I note that the Union is to be covered by the Agreement.

[5] Having reviewed the terms of the preapproval process documentation and the Agreement itself, I am satisfied that all of the requirements of the Act, in particular ss 180, 186, 187 and 188, in so far as relevant to this application, have been met. Accordingly, I approve a single enterprise agreement known as the CDC Victoria Pty Ltd ABN 21 006 822 420 - Altona Depot Enterprise Agreement 2014.Pursuant to s 54 of the Act, the Agreement shall operate from 15 December 2014 and have a nominal expiry date of 31 March 2018.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

CDC Victoria Pty Ltd, trading as CDC Victoria at the Altona Depot, applied to the Fair Work Commission for the approval of their Enterprise Agreement 2014. The dispute arose as the applicant sought to finalise the terms and conditions of employment for its employees under the new agreement. The Fair Work Commission was tasked with determining whether the agreement met the legal criteria for approval under the Fair Work Act 2009.

The legal issues before the Commission included whether the agreement provided for the mandatory terms, allowed for proper employee representation, and if it was free from any prohibited content. Specifically, the Commission needed to verify that the agreement did not unfairly disadvantage any employee or group of employees, and that the bargaining process adhered to the procedural fairness requirements. The applicant had to demonstrate that the agreement was genuinely negotiated and that all employees had an opportunity to be involved in the process.

In delivering its decision, the Commission examined the evidence and submissions provided by CDC Victoria and the relevant unions. It found that the agreement contained all mandatory terms, provided for appropriate employee representation, and did not include any prohibited content. The Commission also determined that the bargaining process was conducted in a procedurally fair manner and that the agreement was genuinely negotiated. As a result, the Fair Work Commission approved the Enterprise Agreement 2014. The Commission's decision was based on its satisfaction that the agreement met the necessary legal standards for approval.

CDC Victoria Pty Ltd - Altona Depot t/as CDC Victoria

DECISION

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