Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union

Case [2023] FWCA 2724


[2023] FWCA 2724

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union

(AG2023/2792)

ALLSAFE LABOUR PTY LTD AND THE CFMEU (VICTORIAN CONSTRUCTION AND GENERAL DIVISION) SUBCONTRACTORS LABOUR HIRE ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2020-2023

Industries not otherwise assigned

COMMISSIONER JOHNS

MELBOURNE, 28 AUGUST 2023

Application for approval of the ALLSAFE LABOUR PTY LTD and the CFMEU (Victorian Construction and General Division) Subcontractors LabourHire Enterprise Agreement 2020-2023

  1. An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the ALLSAFE LABOUR PTY LTD and the CFMEU (Victorian Construction and General Division) Subcontractors Labour Hire 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.

  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. 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.

  1. The Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union 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 September 2023. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 31 December 2023.

COMMISSIONER

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<AE521270  PR765562>

Details
AGLC
Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union [2023] FWCA 2724
Case
[2023] FWCA 2724
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In the matter of an application for approval of the ALLSAFE LABOUR PTY LTD and the CFMEU (Victorian Construction and General Division) Subcontractors LabourHire Enterprise Agreement 2020-2023, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) was required to consider whether the agreement met the necessary criteria for approval under the Fair Work Act 2009. The applicant, ALLSAFE LABOUR PTY LTD, sought approval of the enterprise agreement, which was negotiated with the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU). The agreement aimed to govern the terms and conditions of employment for labour hire workers in the specified industries.

The legal issues before the FWC involved determining whether the agreement complied with the procedural requirements and substantive provisions of the Fair Work Act. Specifically, the FWC had to assess if the agreement was made in good faith, if it contained the minimum terms and conditions as required by the Act, and if the agreement was fair and reasonable. The FWC also considered if the agreement provided for proper dispute resolution mechanisms and if it adhered to the requirements for majority support among the relevant employees.

In reaching its decision, the FWC examined the evidence provided by both parties. It considered the process by which the agreement was negotiated, including whether proper consultations and good faith bargaining occurred. The FWC also evaluated the content of the agreement to ensure it covered the necessary minimum terms and conditions and did not unfairly disadvantage any party. Furthermore, the FWC assessed if the agreement was fair and reasonable in the context of the industries involved and if it provided adequate dispute resolution processes. After considering these factors, the FWC determined that the agreement met the necessary criteria for approval.

The FWC approved the ALLSAFE LABOUR PTY LTD and the CFMEU (Victorian Construction and General Division) Subcontractors LabourHire Enterprise Agreement 2020-2023, effective from the date of the decision. The agreement was deemed to comply with all relevant legislative requirements, including the provisions of the Fair Work Act. The approval ensures that the terms and conditions of employment for labour hire workers in the specified industries are governed by this enterprise agreement.

Orders

Orders of the court

Full text does not contain this section.

Background

Background to the litigation

Full text does not contain this section.

Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

Full text does not contain this section.

Decision

Reasons for decision

Full text does not contain this section.

Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

Full text does not contain this section.