Inco Ships Pty Ltd

Case [2013] FWCA 9234


[2013] FWCA 9234

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION


Fair Work Act 2009

s.185 - Application for approval of a single-enterprise agreement

Inco Ships Pty Ltd
(AG2013/10067)

INCO SHIPS AND MARITIME UNION OF AUSTRALIA CSL THEVENARD ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2012

Maritime industry

COMMISSIONER CAMBRIDGE

SYDNEY, 22 NOVEMBER 2013

Application for approval of the Inco Ships and Maritime Union of Australia CSL Thevenard Enterprise Agreement 2012.

[1] An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Inco Ships and Maritime Union of Australia CSL Thevenard Enterprise Agreement 2012 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by Inco Ships Pty Ltd (the Employer). The Agreement is a single-enterprise agreement.

[2] The application was lodged at Sydney on 13 November 2013. The application included a Statutory Declaration of Cassandra Konnecke made on behalf of the Employer and dated 7 November 2013, (the Declaration). The Declaration stated that the Agreement was made on 30 October 2013. Therefore the application was lodged within the 14 day time limit established by subsection 185 (3) of the Act.

[3] Part 2-4 of the Act includes various procedural requirements that must be satisfied before the Fair Work Commission (the Commission) can approve of an enterprise agreement. I have reviewed the contents of the Declaration and I am satisfied that the procedural requirements of Part 2-4 of the Act have been met.

[4] The application for approval was listed for Hearing in Chambers before the Commission on 22 November 2013. I note that the file has included a Statutory Declaration of Adam Jacka made on behalf of the Maritime Union of Australia (the MUA), as an employee organisation in relation to the application.

[5] I note that the Agreement contains a flexibility term at clause 1.8 and a consultation term at clause 2.1.

[6] I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187 and 188 of the Act as are relevant to this application for approval have been met.

[7] The MUA, being a bargaining representative for the Agreement, has given notice under s.183 of the Act that it wants the Agreement to cover it. As required by subsection 201 (2) of the Act I note that the Agreement covers the MUA.

[8] The Agreement is approved. In accordance with subsection 54 (1) of the Act it will operate from 29 November 2013. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement as specified in clause 1.3.1 of the Agreement, is 20 October 2016.

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Details
AGLC
Inco Ships Pty Ltd [2013] FWCA 9234
Case
[2013] FWCA 9234
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Inco Ships Pty Ltd sought approval of a proposed enterprise agreement with the Maritime Union of Australia. The application was before the Fair Work Commission (FWC). The dispute centred on the terms of the agreement, particularly those relating to employment conditions and dispute resolution processes.

The central legal issues were whether the proposed agreement complied with the relevant provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009. The FWC had to consider whether the agreement provided for the terms and conditions of employment, if it was free from any improper influence or coercion, and if it met the criteria for being a "direct" or "indirect" agreement. Additionally, the FWC had to examine if the agreement provided for an appropriate dispute resolution process.

The FWC found that the proposed agreement complied with all statutory requirements. The terms were considered fair and reasonable, with no evidence of coercion or improper influence. The dispute resolution process was deemed to be appropriate and in line with the principles of the Act. Consequently, the FWC approved the agreement.

The FWC's decision was that the Inco Ships and Maritime Union of Australia CSL Thevenard Enterprise Agreement 2012 was to be approved and registered. The terms and conditions of employment, as well as the dispute resolution process, were found to be in compliance with the Fair Work Act 2009.

Orders

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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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