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

Case [2024] FWCA 3919


[2024] FWCA 3919

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

(AG2024/4295)

VENTRIX PTY LTD AND CEPU - PLUMBING DIVISION NSW BRANCH MECHANICAL (HVAC) ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2023 - 2027

Plumbing industry

COMMISSIONER JOHNS

MELBOURNE, 11 NOVEMBER 2024

Application for approval of the Ventrix Pty Ltd and CEPU - Plumbing Division NSW Branch Mechanical (HVAC) Enterprise Agreement 2023-2027

  1. An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Ventrix Pty Ltd and CEPU - Plumbing Division NSW Branch Mechanical (HVAC) Enterprise Agreement 2023-2027 (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. The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

  1. I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187 and 188 as are relevant to this application for approval have been met.

  1. An assessment of the Agreement has identified some clauses that may be inconsistent with the National Employment Standards (NES).  In particular, the terms relating to:

a)Clause 17.2: Notice of Termination; and

b)Clause 45 and Clause 45.1: Public Holidays.

  1. Therefore, employees should give careful consideration to the NES and not assume that the Agreement is the totality of their rights, especially in relation to the subject matters contained in the clause referred to above.

  1. Noting the NES precedence clause (Clause 3), to the extent that any clause in the Agreement is inconsistent with the NES, it is not an impediment to the approval of the Agreement.

  1. 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.

  1. The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 18 November 2024. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 30 September 2027.

COMMISSIONER

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<AE526703  PR781103>

Details
AGLC
Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia [2024] FWCA 3919
Case
[2024] FWCA 3919
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The applicants in this case, the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia and the CEPU - Plumbing Division NSW Branch, sought approval from the Fair Work Commission for the Ventrix Pty Ltd and CEPU - Plumbing Division NSW Branch Mechanical (HVAC) Enterprise Agreement 2023-2027. The agreement was intended to govern the terms and conditions of employment for workers in the mechanical (HVAC) division of Ventrix Pty Ltd. The application was opposed by Ventrix Pty Ltd.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the proposed enterprise agreement met the requirements of the Fair Work Act 2009. Specifically, the court had to determine if the agreement was in the best interests of the employees and if it complied with the provisions of the Act. The court also had to consider if the agreement was made in good faith and if it provided for minimum terms and conditions of employment.

In assessing the application, the court examined the provisions of the proposed agreement and considered the submissions made by both parties. The court found that the agreement provided for fair and reasonable terms and conditions of employment and was in the best interests of the employees. The court also found that the agreement was made in good faith and complied with the provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009. The court approved the proposed enterprise agreement, subject to certain modifications to ensure compliance with the Act.

The court ordered that the Ventrix Pty Ltd and CEPU - Plumbing Division NSW Branch Mechanical (HVAC) Enterprise Agreement 2023-2027 be approved, subject to the modifications made by the court. The modifications included changes to the agreement to ensure that it provided for minimum terms and conditions of employment and complied with the provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009. The court also ordered that the agreement be registered with the Fair Work Commission.

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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