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

[2024] FWCA 3504

[2024] FWCA 3504

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

(AG2024/3792)

MECA ELECTRICAL SERVICES PTY LTD & ETU ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2021 – 2025

Electrical contracting industry
COMMISSIONER JOHNS	MELBOURNE, 4 OCTOBER 2024

Application for approval of the Meca Electrical Services Pty Ltd and ETU Enterprise Agreement 2021-2025

1. An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Meca Electrical Services Pty Ltd and ETU Enterprise Agreement 2021-2025 (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. 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. The undertakings are taken to be a term of the agreement.

1. 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.

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

a)Part A Clause 35.4(a)(ii): Public holidays – substitution to another day

b)Part A Clause 20.1(a) and Part B Clause 20.1(a): Notice of termination – exclusion of apprentices

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 4.1(b)), 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 11 October 2024. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 31 March 2025.

COMMISSIONER

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Annexure A