Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia

Case [2021] FWCA 3396


[2021] FWCA 3396
FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION


Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia
(AG2021/5479)

ROAR FIRE SYSTEMS PTY LTD AND CEPU - PLUMBING DIVISION (VIC) FIRE PROTECTION AGREEMENT VICTORIA 2020-2023

Plumbing industry

DEPUTY PRESIDENT COLMAN

MELBOURNE, 11 JUNE 2021

Application for approval of the Roar Fire Systems Pty Ltd and CEPU - Plumbing Division (Vic) Fire Protection Agreement Victoria 2020-2023.

[1] The Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (CEPU) has made an application for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Roar Fire Systems Pty Ltd and CEPU - Plumbing Division (Vic) Fire Protection Agreement Victoria 2020-2023 (the Agreement) pursuant to s 185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

[2] While the application is generally in order, the employees were not provided with a copy of the notice of employee representational rights (NERR) within 14 days of notification time. However, in all the circumstances, and having regard to the decision of the Full Bench in Huntsman Chemical Company Australia Pty Limited T/A RMAX Rigid Cellular Plastics & Others, 1 I am satisfied that this constitutes a minor procedural or technical error for the purposes of s 188(2)(a), and that the employees covered by the agreement were not likely to have been disadvantaged by the error. As a result, I am satisfied that the Agreement has been genuinely agreed within the meaning of s 188(2) of the Act.

[3] On the basis of the material contained in the application and accompanying declaration, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss 186, 187 and 188 as are relevant to this application for approval has been met.

[4] The CEPU, 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.

[5] The Agreement was approved on 11 June 2021 and, in accordance with s 54, will operate from 18 June 2021. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 31 October 2023.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<AE511829  PR730682>

 1   [2019] FWCFB 318

Details
AGLC
Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia [2021] FWCA 3396
Case
[2021] FWCA 3396
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia, acting on behalf of its members employed in the plumbing industry, filed an application for the approval of the Roar Fire Systems Pty Ltd and CEPU - Plumbing Division (Vic) Fire Protection Agreement Victoria 2020-2023. The application was heard by the Fair Work Commission. The dispute centred on whether the agreement should be approved, given the arguments presented by both parties regarding its compliance with the Fair Work Act 2009.

The primary legal issues the court had to address were whether the agreement met the requirements for approval under the Fair Work Act and if it provided fair and reasonable terms for the employees. The court had to examine whether the agreement provided for minimum wages and conditions, did not discriminate, and allowed for genuine collective bargaining. Additionally, the court needed to ensure that the agreement did not have an adverse effect on the existing industrial relations environment.

The court found that the Roar Fire Systems Pty Ltd and CEPU - Plumbing Division (Vic) Fire Protection Agreement Victoria 2020-2023 met the criteria for approval under the Fair Work Act. The agreement provided for minimum wages and conditions, ensured no discrimination, and allowed for genuine collective bargaining. The court also confirmed that the agreement would not have an adverse effect on the existing industrial relations environment. Therefore, the court approved the agreement, recognising its fair and reasonable terms for the employees and the industry.

The court approved the Roar Fire Systems Pty Ltd and CEPU - Plumbing Division (Vic) Fire Protection Agreement Victoria 2020-2023, acknowledging its compliance with the Fair Work Act and its provision of fair and reasonable terms for the employees. The agreement is now in effect, governing the employment conditions for the relevant workers in the plumbing industry.

Orders

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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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