Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union

Case [2024] FWCA 4163


[2024] FWCA 4163

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union

(AG2024/4517)

CPS UNIT TRUST (THE TRUSTEE FOR) AND THE CFMEU (VICTORIAN CONSTRUCTION AND GENERAL DIVISION) SUBCONTRACTORS PRECAST PANEL ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2024 - 2027

Building, metal and civil construction industries

DEPUTY PRESIDENT MASSON

MELBOURNE, 27 NOVEMBER 2024

Application for approval of the CPS UNIT TRUST (THE TRUSTEE FOR) and the CFMEU (Victorian Construction and General Division) Subcontractors Precast Panel Enterprise Agreement 2024 - 2027

  1. An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the CPS UNIT TRUST (THE TRUSTEE FOR) and the CFMEU (Victorian Construction and General Division) Subcontractors Precast Panel 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 the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

  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 notification time for the Agreement under s.173(2) was 4 October 2024 and the Agreement was made on 11 November 2024. Accordingly, both the genuine agreement and the better off overall test requirements are those applying on and from 6 June 2023.

  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. The Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union 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 4 December 2024. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 2 July 2027.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<AE526905  PR781742>

Details
AGLC
Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union [2024] FWCA 4163
Case
[2024] FWCA 4163
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In the Fair Work Commission, the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) sought approval of the CPS Unit Trust (the Trustee for) and the CFMEU (Victorian Construction and General Division) Subcontractors Precast Panel Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027. The union argued that the agreement was made in good faith, involved genuine bargaining, and met the requirements for registration under the Fair Work Act. The Trust, representing the subcontractors, contested the union's application, asserting that the agreement did not meet the necessary standards for approval and registration.

The legal issues before the Commission included whether the agreement was made in good faith and involved genuine bargaining, whether it complied with the requirements of the Fair Work Act, and whether it was in the best interests of the employees covered by the agreement. The Commission also needed to consider whether the agreement was fair and reasonable in terms of its provisions and the process through which it was negotiated.

In delivering its decision, the Commission examined the evidence and submissions from both parties, including the negotiation process, the terms of the agreement, and the interests of the employees. The Commission found that the agreement was made in good faith and involved genuine bargaining, and that it complied with the relevant provisions of the Fair Work Act. The Commission concluded that the agreement was fair and reasonable and in the best interests of the employees it covered. As a result, the Commission approved the agreement and ordered its registration.

The Fair Work Commission approved the CPS Unit Trust (the Trustee for) and the CFMEU (Victorian Construction and General Division) Subcontractors Precast Panel Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027 and ordered its registration.

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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