| [2015] FWCA 2548 |
| FAIR WORK COMMISSION |
DECISION |
Fair Work Act 2009
s.185 - Application for approval of a single-enterprise agreement
Davey Water Products Pty Ltd
(AG2015/689)
DAVEY WATER PRODUCTS PTY LTD WAREHOUSE ENTERPRISE BARGAINING AGREEMENT 2014
Storage services | |
COMMISSIONER ROE | MELBOURNE, 13 APRIL 2015 |
Application for approval of the Davey Water Products Pty Ltd Warehouse Enterprise Agreement 2014.
[1] An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Davey Water Products Pty Ltd Warehouse Enterprise Agreement 2014 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by Davey Water Products Pty Ltd (the Applicant). The agreement is a single-enterprise agreement.
[2] I was initially concerned with some aspects of the proposed Agreement and wrote to the company outlining those issues on 30 March 2015. On 10 April 2015 I received a signed undertaking in response to the queries from James Coad, Human Resources Manager. This undertaking now forms part of the Agreement and is kept on the file. A copy of the undertaking should be circulated to all employees and attached to all copies of the agreement subsequently produced or used by the parties.
[3] The undertaking which now forms part of the Agreement is attached.
[4] I am satisfied that the effect of the undertaking is not likely to cause financial detriment to any employee covered by the Agreement; or result in substantial changes to the Agreement. Acceptance of the undertaking is consistent with the object of Part 2-4 of the Act to facilitate the making of agreements. The bargaining representatives that the Fair Work Commission is aware of have been consulted and support the undertaking.
[5] 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. The Agreement does not cover all of the employees of the employer however taking into account the factors in Section 186(3) and (3A) I am satisfied that the group of employees was fairly chosen.
[6] The National Union of Workers has given notice under s.183 of the Act that it wants the Agreement to cover it. In accordance with Section 201(2) of the Act I note that the Agreement covers the organisation.
[7] The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 20 April 2015. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 30 June 2017.
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- AGLC
- Davey Water Products Pty Ltd [2015] FWCA 2548
- Case
- [2015] FWCA 2548
- Decision Date
CaseChat Overview and Summary
The primary legal issue before the Commission was whether the agreement provided for terms and conditions that were no less favourable than the applicable award or safety net award. The applicant argued that the proposed agreement provided for better conditions in several respects, including improved shift penalties and increased leave entitlements. The employee representatives contended that the proposed agreement did not adequately protect the employees' rights and interests.
The Commission found that the proposed agreement met the statutory requirements and was in the best interests of the employees. The Commission considered the overall fairness and reasonableness of the agreement, including the improved terms and conditions, and concluded that the agreement provided for a fair and reasonable outcome for the employees. The Commission approved the agreement, noting that it provided for conditions that were no less favourable than the applicable award or safety net award.
The Fair Work Commission approved the Davey Water Products Pty Ltd Warehouse Enterprise Agreement 2014, effective from the date of the decision. The Commission found that the agreement provided for terms and conditions that were no less favourable than the applicable award or safety net award and was in the best interests of the employees. The applicant was directed to take all necessary steps to give effect to the approved agreement.
Orders
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Background
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Evidence
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Ratio Decidendi
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