Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union

[2024] FWCA 3393

[2024] FWCA 3393

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union

(AG2024/2937)

MEALES CONCRETE PUMPING WA PTY LTD PERDAMAN CERES PROJECT GREENFIELDS AGREEMENT 2024

Building, metal and civil construction industries
DEPUTY PRESIDENT MASSON	MELBOURNE, 26 SEPTEMBER 2024

Application for approval of the Meales Concrete Pumping WA Pty Ltd Perdaman Ceres Project Greenfields Agreement 2024.

1. An application has been made for approval of a greenfields agreement known as the Meales Concrete Pumping WA Pty Ltd Perdaman Ceres Project Greenfields Agreement 2024 (the Agreement). The application was made by the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act).

1. The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 (Cth) (Amending Act) made a number of changes to enterprise agreement approval processes in Part 2-4 of the Fair Work Act, that commenced operation on 6 June 2023. The Agreement was made on 1 August 2024. Accordingly, the better off overall test requirements are those applying on and from 6 June 2023.

1. This is a greenfields agreement that meets the requirements of section 172(2)(b) of the Act. I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186 and 187 of the Act as are relevant to this application for approval have been met. In accordance with s.187(5)(a) of the Act, I am satisfied that the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union, Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia and “Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) are entitled to represent the industrial interests of a majority of employees who will be covered by the Agreement in relation to work that is to be performed under it. I am also satisfied that it is in the public interest to approve the Agreement.

1. I note that several clauses are inconsistent with the National Employment Standards (NES). Given the NES precedence clause at clause 4.1 of the Agreement, I am satisfied that the more beneficial entitlements of the NES will prevail.

1. Pursuant to s.53(2)(b) of the Act I note the Agreement was made with the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union, Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia and “Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) and that the Agreement covers these organisations.

1. The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 3 October 2024. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 9 May 2028.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

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