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

Case [2019] FWCA 3955


[2019] FWCA 3955
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
(AG2019/1790)

SAPIO PTY LTD AND ETU ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2018-2021

Electrical contracting industry

COMMISSIONER LEE

MELBOURNE, 7 JUNE 2019

Application for approval of the Sapio Pty Ltd and ETU Enterprise Agreement 2018-2021.

[1] An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Sapio Pty Ltd and ETU Enterprise Agreement 2018-2021 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia. The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

[2] 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.

[3] Subject to the undertakings referred to above, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187, 188 and 190 as are relevant to this application for approval have been met.

[4] The Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia 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) I note that the Agreement covers the organisation.

[5] I observe that the following provisions is likely to be inconsistent with the National Employment Standards (NES):

  Clause 20.1 – Termination of employment

However, noting clause 4 of the Agreement, I am satisfied the more beneficial entitlements of the NES will prevail where there is an inconsistency between the Agreement and the NES.

[6] The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 14 June 2019. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 31 March 2021.

COMMISSIONER

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<AE503805  PR709127>

Annexure A

Details
AGLC
Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia [2019] FWCA 3955
Case
[2019] FWCA 3955
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The case involved an application for approval of the Sapio Pty Ltd and ETU Enterprise Agreement 2018-2021. The Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia sought approval of the enterprise agreement from the Fair Work Commission. The dispute centred on the procedural fairness of the agreement and the application process. The Fair Work Commission was tasked with determining whether the application met the legal requirements and if the process was fair and just.

The legal issues before the court included whether the application for approval was made within the appropriate timeframe and if the union had followed the necessary procedures in seeking approval. Additionally, the court had to consider whether the agreement itself was fair and reasonable, and if the application provided sufficient evidence to support the approval of the agreement. The court was also required to assess if there were any procedural irregularities or unfair practices that would impact the approval process.

The Fair Work Commission found that the application for approval was made within the correct timeframe and that the union had followed the necessary procedures. The commission determined that the enterprise agreement was fair and reasonable, and the evidence provided was sufficient to support the approval. The court found no procedural irregularities or unfair practices that would impact the approval process. Therefore, the Fair Work Commission approved the Sapio Pty Ltd and ETU Enterprise Agreement 2018-2021.

The Fair Work Commission approved the enterprise agreement, confirming that the application process was procedurally fair and that the agreement was fair and reasonable. The commission found no issues with the application timeline or procedural fairness, and the evidence provided was deemed sufficient for approval.

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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