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

[2025] FWCA 808

[2025] FWCA 808

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185 - Application for approval of a single-enterprise agreement

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

(AG2025/453)

FRONTLINE HUMAN RESOURCES AND CEPU – PLUMBING DIVISION (VIC) PLUMBING ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2024 – 2027

Plumbing industry
COMMISSIONER REDFORD	MELBOURNE, 6 MARCH 2025

Application for approval of the Frontline Human Resources and CEPU – Plumbing Division (Vic) Plumbing Enterprise Agreement 2024 – 2027

1. An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Frontline Human Resources and CEPU – Plumbing Division (Vic) Plumbing Enterprise Agreement 2024 – 2027 (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 (CEPU) and concerns an Agreement proposed to cover Frontline Human Resources (the Company) and its employees. The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

Notice of Employee Representational Rights 

1. The Notice of Employee Representational Rights (NERR) distributed by the Company was not in the prescribed form, as the pre-reform version has been used. Nevertheless, in the circumstances, I am satisfied that this constitutes a minor procedural or technical error for the purposes of s.188(5) of the Act. Further, I am satisfied 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 of the Act.

Whether the employees who voted on the agreement had a sufficient interest in it, and are sufficiently representative.

1. Because only two employees participated in the vote to approve the agreement (who voted in favour of the agreement), I asked for additional submissions on whether those employees had a sufficient interest in the terms of the agreement and are sufficiently representative, within the meaning of s 188(2) of the Act. On the basis of those submissions I am so satisfied.

Interaction with the National Employment Standards 

1. Clause 5.4 of the Agreement provides that the Agreement will be read and interpreted in conjunction with the National Employment Standards (NES) and where there is an inconsistency, and the NES provides greater benefit, the NES will apply to the extent of the inconsistency (NES precedence clause). On this basis, I am satisfied that the apparent inconsistencies with the NES outlined below do not prevent the approval of this agreement:    

a.Clause 40 of the Agreement provides for compassionate leave, however it is silent in relation to the entitlement in circumstances when an employee, their spouse, or de facto partner has a miscarriage or gives birth to a stillborn child. Section 104(1)(c) of the Act provides for compassionate leave in these circumstances. On the basis of the NES precedence clause, the superior entitlement provided for in the NES will apply.

Consideration

1. 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.

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. In accordance with s.201(2) I note that the Agreement covers the CEPU.

1. The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate 7 days after approval.

COMMISSIONER

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