Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union

Case [2015] FWCA 5166


[2015] FWCA 5166
FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION


Fair Work Act 2009

s.225 - Application for termination of an enterprise agreement after its nominal expiry date

Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union
(AG2015/3938)

CFMEU AND PROTECH PERSONNEL (VIC) PTY LTD LABOUR HIRE EMPLOYEES ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2013

Building, metal and civil construction industries

DEPUTY PRESIDENT GOSTENCNIK

MELBOURNE, 29 JULY 2015

Application for termination of the CFMEU and Protech Personnel (Vic) Pty Ltd Labour Hire Employees Enterprise Agreement 2013.

[1] Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (Union) has applied, pursuant to s.225 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act) to terminate the CFMEU and Protech Personnel (Vic) Pty Ltd Labour Hire Employees Enterprise Agreement 2013 (the Agreement). The Agreement covers the Union, Protech Personnel (VIC) Pty Ltd (Company) and employees of the Company specified in clause 4 of the Agreement. The Agreement has passed its nominal expiry date.

[2] Section 225 of the Act provides:

    225 Application for termination of an enterprise agreement after its nominal expiry date

      If an enterprise agreement has passed its nominal expiry date, any of the following may apply to the FWC for the termination of the agreement:

      (a) one or more of the employers covered by the agreement;

      (b) an employee covered by the agreement;

      (c) an employee organisation covered by the agreement.

[3] Section 226 of the Act provides:

    226 When the FWC must terminate an enterprise agreement

      If an application for the termination of an enterprise agreement is made under section 225, the FWC must terminate the agreement if:

      (a) the FWC is satisfied that it is not contrary to the public interest to do so; and

      (b) the FWC considers that it is appropriate to terminate the agreement taking into account all the circumstances including:

      (i) the views of the employees, each employer, and each employee organisation (if any), covered by the agreement; and

      (ii) the circumstances of those employees, employers and organisations including the likely effect that the termination will have on each of them.

[4] In correspondence to my Chambers dated 21 July 2015, the Company advised that it did not oppose the cancellation of the Agreement.

[5] Based on the material contained in the Union’s declaration filed with the application, I am satisfied that termination of the Agreement is not contrary to the public interest. Taking into account all of the circumstances including those in s. 226 (b) (i) and (ii), I consider that it is appropriate to terminate the Agreement. There is nothing before me which raises public interest considerations which might militate against the termination of the Agreement and as stated in the Union’s declaration, the Agreement does not cover nor apply to any employee of Protech Personnel (VIC) Pty Ltd. I am satisfied that it is appropriate to approve the termination of the Agreement, and I terminate the Agreement.

[6] The termination will operate from 30 July 2015.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

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Details
AGLC
Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union [2015] FWCA 5166
Case
[2015] FWCA 5166
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) and Protech Personnel (Vic) Pty Ltd were involved in a dispute that was adjudicated by the Fair Work Commission (FWC). The CFMEU applied for the termination of the Labour Hire Employees Enterprise Agreement 2013, citing that the agreement was no longer appropriate due to changes in the industry and the parties' circumstances. The legal issues before the FWC included whether the agreement was outdated and if the application met the statutory criteria for termination.

The FWC examined the changes in the labour market and industry practices since the agreement was made. The union argued that the changes warranted a new agreement, while Protech Personnel contended that the existing agreement was still valid and applicable. The FWC assessed the application against the criteria set out in the Fair Work Act 2009, considering whether the agreement was no longer appropriate due to significant changes in the industry or the parties' circumstances. The FWC concluded that the changes were significant and warranted the termination of the existing agreement. The FWC determined that the application met the statutory criteria for termination and granted the CFMEU's application. The Labour Hire Employees Enterprise Agreement 2013 was terminated, effective from the date of the FWC's decision.

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

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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