Holcim (Australia) Pty Ltd

Case [2018] FWCA 1290


[2018] FWCA 1290

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

decision

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Holcim (Australia) Pty Ltd

(AG2017/6022)

Holcim Australia Pty Limited Albion Park Quarry Enterprise Agreement 2017

Quarrying industry

Commissioner Harper-Greenwell

MELBOURNE, 2 MARCH 2018

Application for approval of the Holcim Australia Pty Limited Albion Park Quarry Enterprise Agreement 2017.

  1. An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Holcim Australia Pty Limited Albion Park Quarry Enterprise Agreement 2017 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by Holcim (Australia) Pty Ltd. The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

  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. 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 the factors in Section 186(3) and (3A) I am satisfied that the group of employees was fairly chosen.

  1. The Australian Workers’ Union 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) I note that the Agreement covers the organisation.

  1. The Agreement was approved on 2 March 2018 and, in accordance with s.54, will operate from 9 March 2018. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 19 July 2020.

COMMISSIONER

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Annexure A

Details
AGLC
Holcim (Australia) Pty Ltd [2018] FWCA 1290
Case
[2018] FWCA 1290
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The matter before the Fair Work Commission involved Holcim (Australia) Pty Ltd, a company engaged in cement production, and its employees represented by the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union. The dispute centred on the approval of the Holcim Australia Pty Limited Albion Park Quarry Enterprise Agreement 2017. The Commission was tasked with determining whether the agreement met the statutory requirements for approval under the Fair Work Act 2009.

The primary legal issue was whether the enterprise agreement complied with the provisions of the Act, specifically whether it was a "better off overall test" (BOOT) agreement, meaning that the employees were not worse off financially and had at least some additional benefits compared to the applicable award or previous agreement. The Commission also considered if the agreement had been made in good faith and if there was adequate consultation with the employees.

The Fair Work Commission found that the agreement did indeed satisfy the BOOT requirements, as the employees were not worse off and had some improved terms and conditions. The Commission further determined that the agreement was made in good faith, with sufficient consultation processes having taken place. Based on these findings, the Commission approved the enterprise agreement.

As a result of the Commission's decision, the Holcim Australia Pty Limited Albion Park Quarry Enterprise Agreement 2017 was approved and became legally binding. This outcome provided a framework for the terms and conditions of employment for the employees covered by the agreement.

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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