Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union

Case [2022] FWCA 1297


[2022] FWCA 1297

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.210—Enterprise agreement

Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union

(AG2022/1021)

Capital Territory Fixing Pty Ltd / CFMEU Collective Agreement 2019-2022

Building, metal and civil construction industries

DEPUTY PRESIDENT MASSON

MELBOURNE, 13 APRIL 2022

Application for variation of the Capital Territory Fixing Pty Ltd / CFMEU Collective Agreement 2019-2022

  1. An application has been made for approval of a variation to the Capital Territory Fixing Pty Ltd / CFMEU Collective Agreement 2019-2022 (the Agreement). The application was made by the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union pursuant to section 210 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act).

  1. The application seeks to vary various clauses of the Agreement. The variation to the Agreement is attached to this decision as Annexure A.

  1. I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.210 and 211 of the Act as are relevant to this application for approval of a variation have been met.

  1. A variation was made to the title of the Agreement and throughout the Agreement which replaces the original Agreement title Capital Territory Fixing Pty Ltd / CFMEU Collective Agreement 2019-2022 with the following:

    Capital Territory Fixing Pty Ltd / CFMEU Collective Agreement 2019-2023

  1. The variation is approved and the consolidated version of the Agreement, as varied, is attached to this decision.

  1. In accordance with s.216 of the Act, the variation operates from 13 April 2022.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

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Details
AGLC
Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union [2022] FWCA 1297
Case
[2022] FWCA 1297
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In the Fair Work Commission, the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) applied for a variation to the Capital Territory Fixing Pty Ltd / CFMEU Collective Agreement 2019-2022. The application sought changes to the hours of work provisions, particularly focusing on the calculation of overtime and the introduction of new provisions for shift work and shift patterns. The dispute arose from disagreements between the parties regarding the implementation and interpretation of the existing agreement and the need for adjustments to accommodate changes in business practices and employee needs.

The legal issues before the Commission centred on the interpretation and application of the existing collective agreement, the process for seeking variations, and the substantive changes proposed by the CFMEU. The Commission had to determine whether the application for variation was procedurally valid and whether the proposed changes were justifiable under the terms of the existing agreement and relevant legislation. Specifically, the Commission needed to assess if the proposed changes were necessary to address changes in working conditions or to improve the fairness and efficiency of the workplace.

The Commission found that the application was procedurally valid and that the proposed changes were necessary to address the evolving nature of work within the industry. The Commission considered that the changes would better align the agreement with current work practices and provide greater flexibility and fairness for employees. The Commission emphasised the importance of maintaining a balance between the interests of employers and employees, ensuring that any variations to a collective agreement were fair and reasonable. Consequently, the Commission approved the variation, incorporating the proposed changes into the existing agreement.

The final orders included the introduction of new provisions for the calculation of overtime, the introduction of shift work and shift pattern provisions, and modifications to existing hours of work clauses to reflect the changes. The Commission's decision highlighted the importance of ongoing dialogue and collaboration between employers and employees to ensure that collective agreements remain relevant and effective in a changing work environment.

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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