Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union

[2021] FWCA 1707

[2021] FWCA 1707

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009
s.185—Enterprise agreement

Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union
(AG2021/4226)

MULTIFORM CONSTRUCTIONS PTY. LTD. AND THE CFMEU (VICTORIAN CONSTRUCTION AND GENERAL DIVISION) SUBCONTRACTORS FORMWORK ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2020-2023

Building, metal and civil construction industries
DEPUTY PRESIDENT MASSON	MELBOURNE, 29 MARCH 2021

Application for approval of the MULTIFORM CONSTRUCTIONS PTY. LTD. and the CFMEU (Victorian Construction and General Division) Subcontractors Formwork Enterprise Agreement 2020-2023.

[1] An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the MULTIFORM CONSTRUCTIONS PTY. LTD. and the CFMEU (Victorian Construction and General Division) Subcontractors Formwork Enterprise Agreement 2020-2023 (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, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union. The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

[2] 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.

[3] Pursuant to s.202(4) of the Act, the model flexibility term prescribed by the Fair Work Regulations 2009 is taken to be a term of the Agreement.

[4] The title of the Agreement in the Notice of Employee Representational Rights was different to the title clause in the proposed Agreement. However, I am satisfied that in all of the circumstances and having regard to Huntsman Chemical Company Australia Pty Limited T/A RMAX Rigid Cellular Plastics & Others 1, this constitutes a minor procedural or technical error for the purpose of s.188(2)(a). Further, I am satisfied that the employees covered by the Agreement were not likely to be disadvantaged by the error.

[5] Question 20 on the Form F17 indicates that on 27 February 2021 employees were notified verbally of the time and place of the vote, with the vote taking place 5 March 2021.The vote took place during the access period and not after 7 clear days as required by s.180(3) of the Act. However, I am satisfied that in all of the circumstances and having regard to the Huntsman Chemical Company Australia Pty Limited T/A RMAX Rigid Cellular Plastics & Others 2, this constitutes a minor procedural or technical error for the purpose of s.188(2)(a). Further, I am satisfied that the employees covered by the Agreement were not likely to be disadvantaged by the error.

[6] The Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy 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.

[7] The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 5 April 2021. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 30 June 2023.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

 1   [2019] FWCFB 318.

 2   [2019] FWCFB 318.

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