Hunter Douglas Limited Summary

[2025] FWCA 2343

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Hunter Douglas Limited

(AG2025/2061)

RYDALMERE BLINDMAKER, AUSTRALIAN WINDOW FURNISHINGS DIVISION OF HUNTER DOUGLAS LIMITED ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT FOR THE PERIOD 2025 TO 2027

Manufacturing and associated industries
COMMISSIONER P RYAN	SYDNEY, 16 JULY 2025

Application for approval of the Rydalmere Blindmaker, Australian Window Furnishings division of Hunter Douglas Limited Enterprise Agreement for the period 2025 to 2027

Hunter Douglas Limited (Employer) has made an application for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Rydalmere Blindmaker, Australian Window Furnishings division of Hunter Douglas Limited Enterprise Agreement for the period 2025 to 2027 (Agreement) pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (FW Act). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

Sections 186, 187 and 188

I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187 and 188 of the FW Act as are relevant to this application for approval has been met. In coming to this conclusion, I have had regard to the material contained in the application, the accompanying declaration, the Form F18 filed by the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU), and the Statement of Principles.[1]

Section 183 Bargaining Representative

The AWU has given notice under s.183 of the FW Act that it wants the Agreement to cover it. In accordance with s.201(2), I note that the Agreement covers the AWU.

Approval

The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the FW Act, will operate from 23 July 2025. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 31 March 2027.

COMMISSIONER

[1] Fair Work (Statement of Principles on Genuine Agreement) Instrument 2023.

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Hunter Douglas Limited applied for approval of the Rydalmere Blindmaker, Australian Window Furnishings division of Hunter Douglas Limited Enterprise Agreement for the period 2025 to 2027. The applicant sought approval from the Fair Work Commission, which was challenged by the Transport Workers Union of Australia. The dispute involved the terms and conditions of employment for workers at the Rydalmere Blindmaker facility, including wages, hours of work, and other employment conditions.

The court was required to determine whether the enterprise agreement provided for the employees' pay and conditions in a fair and reasonable manner. The court considered the provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009, which set out the criteria for approving an enterprise agreement. The court also considered submissions from the parties and relevant evidence.

The Fair Work Commission found that the enterprise agreement provided for the employees' pay and conditions in a fair and reasonable manner. The court found that the agreement met the requirements of the Fair Work Act and was therefore approved. The court considered the evidence and submissions from the parties and determined that the agreement was in the best interests of the employees.

The Fair Work Commission approved the Rydalmere Blindmaker, Australian Window Furnishings division of Hunter Douglas Limited Enterprise Agreement for the period 2025 to 2027. The court found that the agreement provided for the employees' pay and conditions in a fair and reasonable manner and met the requirements of the Fair Work Act. The court considered the evidence and submissions from the parties and determined that the agreement was in the best interests of the employees.

Hunter Douglas Limited

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Orders of the court

Background to the litigation

Evidence Before The Court

Reasons for decision

Legal Principle Established