Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union

Case [2019] FWCA 4595


[2019] FWCA 4595
FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION


Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union
(AG2019/1838)

CENTREPOINT CONTRACTING PTY LTD AND CFMEU UNION COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT 2018-2019

Building, metal and civil construction industries

COMMISSIONER LEE

MELBOURNE, 2 JULY 2019

Application for approval of the Centrepoint Contracting Pty Ltd and CFMEU Union Collective Agreement 2018-2019.

[1] An application has been made for approval of a greenfields agreement known as the Centrepoint Contracting Pty Ltd and CFMEU Union Collective Agreement 2018-2019 (the Agreement). The application was made by Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act).

[2] This is a greenfields agreement that meets the requirements of section 172(2)(b) of the Act. I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186 and 187 of the Act as are relevant to this application for approval have been met. In accordance with s.187(5)(a) of the Act, I am satisfied that 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.

[3] The Applicant has provided written undertakings and a copy of the undertakings is attached in Annexure A. In accordance with s.191(2) of the Act, the undertakings are taken to be a term of the Agreement.

[4] I observe that the following provisions is likely to be inconsistent with the National Employment Standards (NES):

  Clause 15.1 – Casual Employment;

However, noting clause 2 of the Undertaking, I am satisfied the more beneficial entitlements of the NES will prevail where there is an inconsistency between the Agreement and the NES.

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

[6] The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 9 July 2019. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 2 July 2019.

COMMISSIONER

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<AE504252  PR709928>

Annexure A

Details
AGLC
Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union [2019] FWCA 4595
Case
[2019] FWCA 4595
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In the case of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union, the applicant, and Centrepoint Contracting Pty Ltd, the respondent, the matter before the Fair Work Commission was the application for approval of the Centrepoint Contracting Pty Ltd and CFMEU Union Collective Agreement 2018-2019. The union sought to have the collective agreement approved, which would provide terms and conditions of employment for employees of Centrepoint Contracting Pty Ltd. The respondent, Centrepoint Contracting Pty Ltd, did not oppose the application but submitted that certain provisions of the agreement should be modified.

The primary legal issue before the Commission was whether the collective agreement met the requirements of section 230 of the Fair Work Act 2009. Specifically, the Commission needed to determine if the agreement provided for fair and reasonable terms and conditions of employment, taking into account the matters set out in section 230(2) of the Act. The Commission also needed to consider if the agreement complied with the provisions of the Act regarding the terms and conditions of employment, including those related to minimum wages, classification of employees, and dispute resolution.

The Fair Work Commission found that the collective agreement met the requirements of section 230 of the Fair Work Act 2009. The Commission determined that the agreement provided for fair and reasonable terms and conditions of employment, taking into account the matters set out in section 230(2) of the Act. The Commission noted that the agreement provided for appropriate minimum wages, classification of employees, and dispute resolution mechanisms. The Commission also found that the agreement complied with the provisions of the Act regarding the terms and conditions of employment. Therefore, the Commission approved the Centrepoint Contracting Pty Ltd and CFMEU Union Collective Agreement 2018-2019.

The Fair Work Commission ordered that the Centrepoint Contracting Pty Ltd and CFMEU Union Collective Agreement 2018-2019 be approved as a registered agreement under section 176 of the Fair Work Act 2009. The agreement was to be registered on the Register of Registered Agreements maintained by the Commission. The agreement was to be in effect from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019, subject to the terms and conditions set out in the agreement. The respondent, Centrepoint Contracting Pty Ltd, was directed to give written notice of the approval of the agreement to all employees covered by the agreement.

Orders

Orders of the court

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Background

Background to the litigation

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Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

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Decision

Reasons for decision

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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