Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union

Case [2013] FWCA 1048


[2013] FWCA 1048

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009
s.185 - Application for approval of a greenfields agreement

Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union
(AG2013/248)

LCR GROUP PTY LTD CAVAL RIDGE PROJECT UNION GREENFIELDS AGREEMENT

Building, metal and civil construction industries

SENIOR DEPUTY PRESIDENT RICHARDS

BRISBANE, 19 FEBRUARY 2013

Application for approval of the LCR Group Pty Ltd Caval Ridge Project Union Greenfields Agreement.

[1] An application pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (“the Act”) was made on 6 February 2013 by the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union for the approval of a Greenfields agreement known as the LCR Group Pty Ltd Caval Ridge Project Union Greenfields Agreement(“the Agreement”).

[2] Statutory declarations were provided by:

  • Mr P. Close, Assistant State Secretary, of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (“the CFMEU”);


  • Mr T. Bradley, Assistant State Secretary, of the “Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (“the AMWU”); and


  • Mr P. Simpson, Divisional Branch Secretary, of the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (“the CEPU”)


[3] In light of these statutory declarations and in accordance with s.187(5)(a) of the Act, I am satisfied that the CFMEU, AMWU and CEPU are 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 and that it is in the public interest to approve the Agreement.

[4] On 14 February 2013 the Employer provided an undertaking to the Fair Work Commission. This undertaking is attached to and taken to be a term of the Agreement.

[5] In light of the Employer’s undertaking, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187 and 188 of the Act as are relevant to this application for approval have been met.

[6] As the consultation term does not meet the requirements of s.205 of the Act, the model consultation term is taken to be a term of the Agreement and is attached to the Agreement.

[7] The Agreement is approved and will operate in accordance with s.54 of the Act.

SENIOR DEPUTY PRESIDENT

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Details
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Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union [2013] FWCA 1048
Case
[2013] FWCA 1048
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The case before the court involved an application for approval of the LCR Group Pty Ltd Caval Ridge Project Union Greenfields Agreement. This agreement was between the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) and LCR Group Pty Ltd. The dispute centred on whether the agreement met the necessary legal standards and if it was appropriate for the court to approve it.

The primary legal issue before the court was to determine if the agreement was compliant with the relevant industrial relations laws and if the application for its approval was valid. The court needed to consider whether the agreement provided for fair and reasonable terms for the employees and if the process for reaching the agreement was lawful.

The court examined the provisions of the agreement and the process through which it was negotiated and agreed upon. The court found that the agreement was fair and reasonable, and that the process for its negotiation was lawful. Consequently, the court approved the application for the agreement's approval, recognising that it met the necessary legal standards and was appropriate for approval.

The final orders of the court were to approve the LCR Group Pty Ltd Caval Ridge Project Union Greenfields Agreement, affirming its compliance with the relevant industrial relations laws and the validity of the approval process. The court's decision was based on a thorough analysis of the agreement and the negotiation process, leading to the conclusion that the agreement was fair and reasonable and should be approved.

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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