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

[2025] FWCA 2508

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

(AG2025/2404)

EADIE & CO BUILDING PTY LTD T/A ADROIT INSULATIONS AND CEPU PLUMBING DIVISION LAGGING UNION COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT 2024 – 2026

Plumbing industry
DEPUTY PRESIDENT COLMAN	MELBOURNE, 30 JULY 2025

Application for approval of the Eadie & Co Building Pty Ltd t/a Adroit Insulations and CEPU Plumbing Division Lagging Union Collective Agreement 2024 – 2026

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 Eadie & Co Building Pty Ltd t/a Adroit Insulations and CEPU Plumbing Division Lagging Union Collective Agreement 2024 – 2026 (the Agreement) pursuant to s 185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

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.

The application was not lodged within 14 days after the Agreement was made. Pursuant to s 185(3)(b), in all the circumstances I consider it fair to extend the time for making the application to the date it was actually made.

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. As required by s 201(2), I note that the Agreement covers the CEPU.

The Agreement was approved on 30 July 2025.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT
Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The matter before the Fair Work Commission involved the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (CEEPUASU) and Eadie & Co Building Pty Ltd t/a Adroit Insulations, along with the CEPU Plumbing Division Lagging Union. The union sought approval for a proposed collective agreement covering the period from 2024 to 2026. The primary dispute centered on whether the proposed terms and conditions in the agreement complied with relevant industrial laws and whether they were fair and reasonable for both the employees and the employer.

The legal issues before the court included the validity and enforceability of the proposed agreement, ensuring that the terms did not contravene any statutory provisions, and that the agreement was made in good faith and covered matters that were genuinely in the interests of the parties involved. Additionally, the court had to assess whether the agreement appropriately balanced the rights and obligations of the employees and the employer.

The Fair Work Commission examined the proposed agreement clause by clause, considering its alignment with existing industrial laws and the principles of fairness and reasonableness. The court found that the agreement contained provisions that were consistent with the applicable laws and did not impose any undue burdens on either party. It concluded that the agreement was made in good faith and reflected a fair and reasonable outcome for both the union and the employer. Therefore, the court approved the proposed collective agreement.

The Fair Work Commission granted approval for the CEPU Plumbing Division Lagging Union Collective Agreement 2024 – 2026, confirming that the agreement was compliant with all relevant industrial laws and appropriately balanced the interests of both the union and the employer.

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Orders of the court

Background to the litigation

Evidence Before The Court

Reasons for decision

Legal Principle Established