Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union

Case [2023] FWCA 2067


[2023] FWCA 2067

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union

(AG2023/2120)

A2B PERSONNEL PTY LTD AND THE CFMEU (VICTORIAN CONSTRUCTION AND GENERAL DIVISION) SUBCONTRACTORS INDIGENOUS TRAFFIC CONTROL EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2020-2023

Building, metal and civil construction industries

DEPUTY PRESIDENT MASSON

MELBOURNE, 7 JULY 2023

Application for approval of the A2B PERSONNEL PTY LTD and the CFMEU (Victorian Construction and General Division) Subcontractors Indigenous Traffic Control Employment & Training Enterprise Agreement 2020-2023

  1. An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the A2B PERSONNEL PTY LTD and the CFMEU (Victorian Construction and General Division) Subcontractors Indigenous Traffic Control Employment & Training 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 Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union. The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

  1. The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 (Cth) (Amending Act) made a number of changes to enterprise agreement approval processes in Part 2-4 of the Fair Work Act, that commenced operation on 6 June 2023.

  2. Under transitional arrangements, amendments made by Part 14 of Schedule 1 to the Amending Act in relation to genuine agreement requirements for agreement approval applications apply where the notification time for the agreement was on or after 6 June 2023. The genuine agreement provisions in Part 2-4 of the Fair Work Act, as it was just before 6 June 2023, continue to apply in relation to agreement approval applications where the notification time for the agreement was before 6 June 2023. Question 17 of the Form F17 provides that the notification time for the Agreement was 25 May 2023.

  1. Under transitional arrangements, amendments made by Part 16 of Schedule 1 to the Amending Act in relation to the better off overall test requirements for agreement approval applications apply where the agreement was made on or after 6 June 2023. The better off overall test provisions in Part 2-4 of the Fair Work Act, as it was just before 6 June 2023, continue to apply in relation to agreement approval applications where the agreement was made before 6 June 2023. Question 25.2 of the Form F17 provides that the Agreement was made on 19 June 2023.

  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 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.

  1. The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 14 July 2023. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 31 December 2023.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<AE520660  PR763977>

Details
AGLC
Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union [2023] FWCA 2067
Case
[2023] FWCA 2067
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The case involved an application by A2B Personnel Pty Ltd and the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (Victorian Construction and General Division) Subcontractors Indigenous Traffic Control Employment & Training Enterprise Agreement 2020-2023. The application was brought before the Fair Work Commission, seeking approval of the agreement. The primary nature of the dispute centred on whether the proposed agreement met the necessary standards for fair work, including compliance with legislative requirements and fairness for the employees involved.

The legal issues the court had to decide included whether the agreement provided for fair and reasonable terms and conditions of employment, whether it met the criteria for approval under the Fair Work Act 2009, and whether it was fair in the context of the enterprise's workforce. Additionally, the court needed to consider the agreement's compliance with relevant provisions regarding minimum wages, penalty rates, and other employment conditions stipulated by the Fair Work Act.

The court's reasoning focused on a comprehensive review of the agreement, assessing its provisions against the legislative framework and the principles of fairness. It examined whether the agreement ensured that employees were not disadvantaged compared to those in similar roles under other agreements. The court found that the agreement met the necessary standards and was fair, providing for reasonable terms and conditions of employment that aligned with the legislative requirements. Consequently, the court approved the agreement, confirming its compliance with the Fair Work Act and its fairness to the employees involved.

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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