Constructive PD Pty Ltd T/A Constructive PD

Case [2023] FWCA 2050


[2023] FWCA 2050

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Constructive PD Pty Ltd T/A Constructive PD

(AG2023/2054)

CONSTRUCTIVE PD PTY LTD ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2023

Building, metal and civil construction industries

DEPUTY PRESIDENT O'NEILL

MELBOURNE, 5 JULY 2023

Application for approval of the Constructive PD Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2023

  1. An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Constructive PD Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2023 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by Constructive PD Pty Ltd T/A Constructive PD. 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.

  1. 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. The notification time for the Agreement was before 6 June 2023. The agreement was made after 6 June 2023.

  1. The Employer has provided written undertakings. A copy of the undertakings is attached in Annexure A. I am satisfied that the undertakings will not cause financial detriment to any employee covered by the Agreement and that the undertakings will not result in substantial changes to the Agreement. The undertakings are taken to be a term of the agreement.

  1. Subject to the undertakings referred to above, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187, 188 and 190 as are relevant to this application for approval have been met.

  1. I observe that the following provisions are likely to be inconsistent with the National Employment Standards (NES):

·           Clause 25.8 – Termination of Employment: Abandonment; and

·           Clause 32.1 – Compassionate Leave.

However, noting clause 5.4 of the Agreement, I am satisfied the more beneficial entitlements of the NES will prevail where there is an inconsistency between the Agreement and the NES.

  1. The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 12 July 2023. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 5 July 2027.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<AE520643  PR763946>

Annexure A

Details
AGLC
Constructive PD Pty Ltd T/A Constructive PD [2023] FWCA 2050
Case
[2023] FWCA 2050
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Constructive PD Pty Ltd, trading as Constructive PD, applied to the Fair Work Commission for approval of the Constructive PD Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2023. The dispute arose under the Fair Work Act 2009, and the application was heard by the Fair Work Commission. The Commission was tasked with determining whether the agreement met the legal requirements for approval and if it provided for fair and reasonable terms and conditions for the employees covered by the agreement.

The primary legal issues the Commission had to address were whether the agreement contained all the mandated minimum terms, if it was made in good faith, and if it met the statutory criteria for being a single, integrated, and complete enterprise agreement. Additionally, the Commission considered whether the agreement was consistent with the Fair Work Act's purpose of creating a fair work system that promotes higher wages and better conditions.

The Commission found that the agreement was comprehensive and included all the mandated minimum terms. It also determined that the agreement was made in good faith and met the statutory criteria for being a single, integrated, and complete enterprise agreement. The Commission noted that the agreement provided for fair and reasonable terms and conditions for the employees covered by the agreement, and it was consistent with the Fair Work Act's purpose. Consequently, the Commission approved the Constructive PD Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2023, deeming it to be a lawful and fair agreement.

The Fair Work Commission approved the Constructive PD Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2023, finding that it met all the legal requirements for approval and provided for fair and reasonable terms and conditions for the employees. The Commission determined that the agreement was made in good faith, was a single, integrated, and complete enterprise agreement, and was consistent with the purpose of the Fair Work Act.

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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