Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union

[2019] FWCA 4703

[2019] FWCA 4703

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009
s.217 - Application to vary an agreement to remove an ambiguity or uncertainty

Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union
(AG2019/2333)

WAGSTAFF PILING PTY LTD AND CFMEU UNION COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT 2018 - 2019

Building, metal and civil construction industries
COMMISSIONER HUNT	BRISBANE, 5 JULY 2019

Application for variation of the Wagstaff Piling Pty Ltd and CFMEU Union Collective Agreement 2018 - 2019

[1] On 1 July 2019 the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU) applied to vary the Wagstaff Piling Pty Ltd and CFMEU Union Collective Agreement 2018 - 2019 (the Agreement) under s.217 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act).

[2] The CFMMEU seeks to vary clause 5.2 of appendix 4 of the Agreement, which sets out the employer’s Impairment Policy. It currently reads:

“5.2   Employees shall:

(a) Co-operate reasonably with the employer in the implementation of this policy;

(b) If any employee reasonably believes that any person on the site may be a health and safety risk to themselves or others they should inform their employer and their relevant Preliminary Impairment Assessor (PIA) of this belief;

(c) Not possess, consume, or be under the influence of, alcohol or other drugs while

working;

(d) Ensure that they do not work, if they believe that they may be impaired;

(e) Consult their doctor or pharmacist about possible side effects of using prescribed or over-the-counter medication;

(f) Inform their employer, their Preliminary Impairment Assessor (PIA); and

(g) Delegate, if they have been made aware by their treating doctor or pharmacist of possible impairment as a side effect of medication, or if they feel impaired by medication.” (Emphasis added)

[3] In particular, the variation sought by the CFMMEU relates to clause 5.2 (f) and (g).  The CFMMEU submitted that the words “; and (g) Delegate,” were the result of a clerical error and were not intended to be included in the Agreement by the parties covered by it. Clause 5.2 (f) requires an ‘and’ in place of the first comma after ‘employer’ to clarify its meaning. Further, it is submitted that read independently, (f) and (g) are not complete phrases and do not make sense.

[4] The proposed variation would remove the words ‘and’ and ‘Delegate’ and merge clauses 5.2(f) and cl 5.2 (g) into a single clause.

[5] The employer consents to the proposed changes.

[6] Having regard to the consent position and the benefit of making cl 5.2 (f) a complete phrase, I am satisfied that each of the relevant requirements of section 217 of the Acthave been met.

[7] In order to remove uncertainty in relation to the particular provisions of the Agreement, the Agreement is varied as follows:

1. Delete clause 5.2(f) and clause 5.2(g) from Appendix 4.

2. Insert clause 5.2(f) into Appendix 4, which will now read:

“5.2(f) Inform their employer and their Preliminary Impairment Assessor (PIA) if they have been made aware by their treating doctor or pharmacist of possible impairment as a side effect of medication, or if they feel impaired by medication.”

[8] Accordingly, the application is granted and the variation, as sought, will operate from today, 5 July 2019.

COMMISSIONER

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