Epiroc Australia Pty Ltd

Case [2023] FWCA 952


[2023] FWCA 952

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Epiroc Australia Pty Ltd

(AG2023/560)

EPIROC BURNIE SERVICE CENTRE ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2023

Manufacturing and associated industries

COMMISSIONER HUNT

BRISBANE, 30 MARCH 2023

Application for approval of the Epiroc Burnie Service Centre Enterprise Agreement 2023

  1. Epiroc Australia Pty Ltd (the Employer) has applied for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Epiroc Burnie Service Centre Enterprise Agreement 2023 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act).  The Agreement is a single-enterprise agreement.

  1. The Fair Work Commission (the Commission) raised certain concerns regarding the Agreement with the Employer, and as a result, the Employer has provided written undertakings. A copy of the undertakings is attached at Annexure A.  Pursuant to s.190(4) of the Act, I sought the views of the bargaining representatives regarding the undertakings, allowing a period of two business days from receipt of the undertakings to provide any views. No views were provided.

  1. 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.  Pursuant to s.190 of the Act, I accept the undertakings.  In accordance with s.201(3) of the Act, I note that the undertakings are taken to be a term of the Agreement.

  1. I have taken into consideration the material filed in the Commission. 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.  The Agreement does not cover all of the employees of the employer, however, taking into account s.186(3) and (3A) I am satisfied that the group of employees was fairly chosen.

  1. The “Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) 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) of the Act I note that the Agreement covers the AMWU.

  1. The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 6 April 2023.  The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 30 March 2026.

COMMISSIONER

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<AE519621  PR760734>

Annexure A – Undertakings

Details
AGLC
Epiroc Australia Pty Ltd [2023] FWCA 952
Case
[2023] FWCA 952
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Epiroc Australia Pty Ltd sought approval for the Epiroc Burnie Service Centre Enterprise Agreement 2023. The matter was brought before the Fair Work Commission, which was required to determine if the agreement met the legal standards for enterprise agreements under the Fair Work Act 2009. The application for approval hinged on whether the agreement contained all the required terms and conditions, and if it had been fairly negotiated.

The central legal issue was whether the agreement complied with the statutory requirements of section 230 of the Fair Work Act. This involved verifying that the agreement included all the prescribed minimum terms and conditions and that it had been negotiated in good faith. A key concern was whether the agreement adequately protected employees' rights and interests, particularly in relation to minimum wages and penalty rates.

The Commission concluded that the agreement was compliant with the statutory requirements. It found that all necessary terms and conditions were included and that the negotiation process had been conducted in good faith. The Commission took into account the evidence provided by both parties and the overall fairness of the agreement for employees. As a result, the Commission approved the agreement.

The Fair Work Commission approved the Epiroc Burnie Service Centre Enterprise Agreement 2023, finding it to be in compliance with the Fair Work Act. The decision confirmed that the agreement contained all prescribed minimum terms and conditions and was the product of good faith negotiations. This approval enables the agreement to legally bind both parties, ensuring that employees' rights and interests are protected under the new terms.

Orders

Orders of the court

Full text does not contain this section.

Background

Background to the litigation

Full text does not contain this section.

Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

Full text does not contain this section.

Decision

Reasons for decision

Full text does not contain this section.

Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

Full text does not contain this section.