Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union

[2024] FWCA 3710

[2024] FWCA 3710

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union

(AG2024/3883)

UNITED CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LTD / CFMEU COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT 2024-2027

Building, metal and civil construction industries
DEPUTY PRESIDENT BELL	MELBOURNE, 24 OCTOBER 2024

Application for approval of the United Constructions Pty Ltd / CFMEU Collective Agreement 2024-2027.

1. An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the United Constructions Pty Ltd / CFMEU Collective Agreement 2024-2027 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act) by the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

1. The notification time for the Agreement under s.173(2) was 22 August 2024 and the Agreement was made on 17 September 2024. Accordingly, both the genuine agreement and the better off overall test requirements are those applying on and from 6 June 2023.[1]

1. Having regard to the material contained in the application and filed in relation to it, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187, 188, 193 and 193A as are relevant to this application for approval have been met. The Agreement does not cover all of the employees of the employer. However, taking into account the factors in sections 186(3) and (3A), I am satisfied that the group of employees was fairly chosen.

1. The application was not lodged within 14 days after the agreement was made. Pursuant to s.185(3)(b), in all the circumstances I consider it fair to extend the time for making the application to the date it was actually made.

1. The CFMEU, 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. While the Agreement states it ‘shall apply from the date of lodgement’, s.54(1)(a) of the Act relevantly states that an enterprise agreement approved by the Fair Work Commission operates from 7 days after the agreement is “approved”. The Agreement was approved on 24 October 2024 and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 31 October 2024. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 4 July 2027.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

[1] The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 (Cth) made a number of changes to enterprise agreement approval processes in Part 2-4 of the Fair Work Act. Those changes broadly commenced operation on 6 June 2023, subject to various transitional arrangements which are not applicable to the present application.

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