Derby Industries Pty Ltd T/A Talloman

Case [2024] FWCA 3498


[2024] FWCA 3498

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Derby Industries Pty Ltd T/A Talloman

(AG2024/3259)

DERBY INDUSTRIES PTY LTD ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2024 (TALLOMAN PRODUCTION)

Meat Industry

COMMISSIONER LIM

PERTH, 18 OCTOBER 2024

Application for approval of the Derby Industries Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2024 (Talloman Production)

  1. Derby Industries Pty Ltd T/A Talloman (the Applicant) has made an application for the approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Derby Industries Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2024 (Talloman Production) (the Agreement). The application was made under s 185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (the Act). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

  1. The title of the Agreement on the Notice of Employee Representational Rights (NERR) is “Derby Industries Pty Ltd (Talloman Production) Enterprise Agreement” whilst the Agreement title in clause 1.1 is “Derby Industries Pty Ltd – Enterprise Agreement 2024 (Talloman Production)”. Pursuant to s 188(5) of the Act, I am satisfied that the Agreement would have been genuinely agreed to but for the minor technical errors made in relation to the requirements set out in s 174(1A) of the Act. I am satisfied that the employees covered by the Agreement were not likely to have been disadvantaged by the errors. As a result, I am satisfied that the Agreement has been genuinely agreed within the meaning of s 188(5) of the Act.

  1. The Applicant 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.

  1. In compliance with s 190(4) of the Act, the bargaining representatives’ views regarding the undertakings proffered were sought. They were provided with the opportunity to raise and address any objections they had to the undertakings proffered by the Applicant. No objection was raised.

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

  1. I note that the following clause in the Agreement appears to be inconsistent with the National Employment Standards (NES):

(a)The entitlement to compassionate leave provided by clause 21.1 of the Agreement does not appear to be triggered after the stillbirth of a child of the employee or a member of the employee’s immediate family or household as per s 105(1)(b) of the Act or after the employee or the employee’s spouse or de facto partner has a miscarriage as per s 105(1)(c) of the Act.

  1. However, I am satisfied that under clause 4.2 of the Agreement, the more beneficial entitlements of the NES will prevail where there is an inconsistency between the Agreement and the NES.

  1. The Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union (AMIEU) (the organisation), being a bargaining representative for the Agreement, has given notice under s 183 of the Act that it wants the Agreement to cover it. In accordance with s 201(2), and based on the declaration provided by the organisation, I note that the organisation is covered by the Agreement.

  1. The Agreement was approved on 18 October 2024 and, in accordance with s 54, will operate from 25 October 2024. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 23 March 2025.


COMMISSIONER

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Annexure A:

Details
AGLC
Derby Industries Pty Ltd T/A Talloman [2024] FWCA 3498
Case
[2024] FWCA 3498
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The application was made by Derby Industries Pty Ltd, trading as Talloman Production, seeking approval of an enterprise agreement under the Fair Work Act 2009. The Fair Work Commission was tasked with determining whether the proposed agreement met the criteria for registration. The dispute arose from negotiations between the employer and the employees regarding the terms and conditions of employment.

The primary legal issues before the Commission were whether the agreement provided for the fair and reasonable terms of employment, and whether it complied with the mandatory requirements of the Fair Work Act, including the protection of employees' rights and entitlements. The Commission also needed to consider whether the agreement was made in good faith and whether it provided for a streamlined and efficient bargaining process.

In considering these issues, the Commission reviewed the content of the proposed agreement, including the terms and conditions of employment, the dispute resolution mechanisms, and the provisions for the protection of employees' rights. The Commission also took into account the submissions made by the parties and any relevant evidence presented. After careful consideration, the Commission was satisfied that the agreement met the legal requirements for registration and approved it. The Commission found that the agreement provided for fair and reasonable terms of employment, and that it complied with the mandatory requirements of the Fair Work Act.

The Commission made an order approving the Derby Industries Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2024 (Talloman Production) as a registered agreement under the Fair Work Act. The agreement will now be binding on the parties and will govern the terms and conditions of employment for the employees of Derby Industries Pty Ltd, trading as Talloman Production.

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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