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

Case [2025] FWCA 2207


[2025] FWCA 2207

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

(AG2025/2058)

ZEROFIRE SERVICES PTY LTD AND CEPU – PLUMBING DIVISION (VIC) FIRE PROTECTION ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2024 – 2027

Plumbing industry

DEPUTY PRESIDENT COLMAN

MELBOURNE, 4 JULY 2025

Application for approval of the Zerofire Services Pty Ltd and CEPU – Plumbing Division (Vic) Fire Protection Enterprise Agreement 2024 – 2027

  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 Zerofire Services Pty Ltd and CEPU – Plumbing Division (Vic) Fire Protection Enterprise Agreement 2024 – 2027 (the Agreement) pursuant to s 185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

  1. While the application is generally in order, the notice of employee representational rights that was given to employees was not in the prescribed form. However, I am satisfied that this constitutes a minor procedural or technical error for the purposes of s 188(5)(a) and that the employees covered by the Agreement are 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 of the Act.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. The Agreement was approved on 4 July 2025.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT
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Details
AGLC
Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia [2025] FWCA 2207
Case
[2025] FWCA 2207
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The case involved an application for approval of a Fire Protection Enterprise Agreement between Zerofire Services Pty Ltd and the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia's Plumbing Division in Victoria, covering the period 2024 to 2027. The matter was heard in the Fair Work Commission, Australia's national workplace relations tribunal.

The primary legal issue before the Commission was whether the terms of the proposed agreement complied with the requirements of the Fair Work Act 2009, including provisions that ensure agreements provide for fair and reasonable terms and conditions. The Commission had to consider whether the agreement provided for minimum rates of pay and conditions that met or exceeded the relevant award provisions, and whether it contained appropriate mechanisms for resolving disputes.

In its decision, the Commission found that the agreement met the statutory requirements. The agreement provided for rates of pay and conditions that were at least equivalent to those in the relevant award, and it included provisions for dispute resolution that were deemed to be adequate and accessible. The Commission also noted that the agreement contained several provisions that went beyond the minimum standards, providing for additional benefits such as increased leave entitlements and provisions for training and development. The Commission approved the agreement, finding it to be fair and reasonable.

The Fair Work Commission approved the Fire Protection Enterprise Agreement between Zerofire Services Pty Ltd and the CEPU – Plumbing Division (Vic) for the period 2024 to 2027. This decision ensures that the terms of the agreement will govern the employment conditions of the employees covered by the agreement for the specified period.

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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