Fenner Dunlop Australia Pty Ltd T/A Fenner Conveyors

Case [2024] FWCA 3270


[2024] FWCA 3270

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Fenner Dunlop Australia Pty Ltd T/A Fenner Conveyors

(AG2024/3212)

FENNER DUNLOP (WOLLONGONG) AGREEMENT 2024

Manufacturing and associated industries

DEPUTY PRESIDENT BOYCE

SYDNEY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2024

Application for approval of the Fenner Conveyors (Wollongong) Enterprise Agreement 2024

  1. An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement to be known as the Fenner Conveyors (Wollongong) Enterprise Agreement 2024 (Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act). It has been made by Fenner Dunlop Australia Pty Ltd T/A Fenner Conveyors (Employer). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

  1. The Employer has also made an application to pursuant to s.218A of the Act to vary the Agreement to correct or amend errors, defects or irregularities (Variation Application).

  1. This decision deals with both the EA Application and the Variation Application.

EA Application

Coverage of employee organisation(s)

  1. The AMWU, being a bargaining representative for the Agreement, has given notice under s.183 of the Act that it wants to be covered by the Agreement. In accordance with s.201(2) of the Act, I note that the Agreement covers this organisation.

Workplace delegates’ rights clause

  1. Pursuant to s.205A(2) of the Act, the workplace delegates’ rights term prescribed by the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020 is taken to be a term of the Agreement.

Conclusion

  1. I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187, 188, 190, 193 and 193A of the Act, as are relevant to this application for approval, have been met.

  1. 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 24 September 2024. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 31 May 2027.

Variation Application

  1. The Employer has applied to make variations to the Agreement so as to correct typographical and numbering errors. The variations are set out in the Employer’s Form F1 dated 16 August 2024.

  1. The bargaining representatives have not expressed any opposition to the variations sought.

  1. I am satisfied that the variations are being sought as a result of obvious errors in the Agreement, and should be corrected by varying the Agreement. There are no grounds which tend against the exercise of my discretion to approve the variations to the Agreement.

  1. I make the variations, which are to take effect on and from 24 September 2024 (i.e. the same time that the Agreement commences operation). The Employer has provided a consolidated and clean version of the Agreement reflecting the variations that I have approved, which is now published with this decision.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<AE526079  PR779260>

Details
AGLC
Fenner Dunlop Australia Pty Ltd T/A Fenner Conveyors [2024] FWCA 3270
Case
[2024] FWCA 3270
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The applicant, Fenner Dunlop Australia Pty Ltd trading as Fenner Conveyors, sought approval of the Fenner Conveyors (Wollongong) Enterprise Agreement 2024 from the Fair Work Commission. The respondents, including various unions, challenged the application on several grounds, questioning the fairness and compliance of the agreement with the relevant labour laws. The dispute centred around provisions relating to wages, conditions of employment, and procedural fairness in the agreement's negotiation process.

The central legal issues before the Commission were whether the agreement was genuinely negotiated and whether it met the standards of procedural fairness. Additionally, the Commission had to determine if the agreement complied with the relevant sections of the Fair Work Act 2009, including whether the provisions were consistent with the national minimum terms and conditions. The unions argued that the agreement did not adequately represent the employees' interests and had been negotiated in an unfair manner.

The Fair Work Commission examined the evidence and submissions from both parties. The Commission found that the agreement was genuinely negotiated and that the procedural fairness requirements were met. It also determined that the provisions of the agreement were consistent with the national minimum terms and conditions. The Commission was satisfied that the agreement fairly reflected the needs of the employees and was in line with the legislative standards. Consequently, the Commission approved the Fenner Conveyors (Wollongong) Enterprise Agreement 2024.

The Fair Work Commission approved the application and confirmed the validity of the Fenner Conveyors (Wollongong) Enterprise Agreement 2024. The decision was made in favour of the applicant, and the agreement was approved as meeting the necessary legal standards. The unions' objections were dismissed, and the agreement was recognised as compliant with the relevant labour laws.

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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