Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union

[2021] FWCA 1437

[2021] FWCA 1437

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009
s.185—Enterprise agreement

Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union
(AG2021/4054)

G JAMES GLASS & ALUMINIUM PTY LTD (QUEENS WHARF PROJECT) UNION COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT 2018

Building, metal and civil construction industries
COMMISSIONER JOHNS	SYDNEY, 17 MARCH 2021

Application for approval of the G James Glass & Aluminium Pty Ltd (Queens Wharf Project) Union Collective Agreement 2018.

[1] An application has been made for approval of a greenfields agreement known as the G James Glass & Aluminium Pty Ltd (Queens Wharf Project) Union Collective Agreement 2018 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). The Agreement is a greenfields agreement. It has been made by the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union.

[2] Clause 25 of the agreement provides that “for Employees other than Electrical Workers and Metals and Engineering Trades Workers, such contributions will be paid to CBUS or BUSS(Q) or Australian Super. For Employees employed as Electrical Workers, such contributions will be paid to Energy Super. For employees employed as Metals and Engineering Trades workers, such contributions will be paid to Australian Super.”  Clause 25 appears inconsistent with the Treasury Laws Amendment (Your Superannuation, Your Choice) Act 2020 (Super Choice Act).  The Super Choice Act amended the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (SGA Act).  Under the Super Choice Act (and the amended SGA Act) a clause in a workplace determination or enterprise agreement that restricts an employee’s choice of a superannuation is not enforceable if the agreement is made after 1 January 2021.

[3] 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. In particular, I am satisfied that the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union is 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.

[4] Pursuant to s.53(2)(b) of the Act I note the Agreement was made with the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union and that the Agreement covers this organisation.

[5] The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54(1) of the Act, will operate from 24 March 2021. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 1 November 2022.

COMMISSIONER

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