Laing O’Rourke T/A Select Plant Hire Employees Collective (NSW) Agreement 2008 – 2011

Case

[2016] FWCA 3975

28 JUNE 2016

No judgment structure available for this case.

[2016] FWCA 3975
FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION


Fair Work (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2009

Item 16 Sch. 3—Termination of transitional instrument

Laing O’Rourke Australia Pty Ltd
(AG2016/2975 – AG2016/3059)

LAING O’ROURKE T/A SELECT PLANT HIRE EMPLOYEES COLLECTIVE (NSW) AGREEMENT 2008 – 2011 AND OTHERS

Building, metal and civil construction industries

DEPUTY PRESIDENT LAWRENCE

SYDNEY, 28 JUNE 2016

Applications for termination of the Laing O’Rourke Australia Pty Ltd agreements.

Introduction

[1] On 27 April 2016 Laing O’Rourke Australia Pty Ltd (the Applicant) lodged applications to terminate 85 specified agreements pursuant to Schedule 3, Item 16 of the Fair Work (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2009.

[2] The Applicant is the parent company of each of the legal entities which are the employers specified in the agreements.

[3] The Applicant submits that each agreement:

    ● Has passed its nominal expiry date.
    ● No longer serves any purpose because the construction project for which they were made is completed or the relevant agreement has been superseded by another instrument.
    ● Has no employees employed under them.

[4] The application specified that the following organisations were covered by at least some of the agreements:

  • “Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU)


  • The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU);


  • Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU);


  • Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (CEPU);


  • Australian Rail, Tram and Bus Industry Union (RTBU).


[5] On 27 April 2016 the Applicant also lodged applications to terminate 41 specified agreements pursuant to s.225 of the Fair Work Act (the Act). Those applications are dealt with in a separate decision issued on 21 June 2016 [2016] FWCA 3896. That decision contains more detail about the overall consultation process.

Legislative Provisions

[6] Applications pursuant to Schedule 3, Item 16 to terminate collective agreement-based transitional instruments are to be dealt with by applying the relevant provisions of the Act relating to the termination of enterprise agreements after their nominal expiry date.

[7] The Fair Work Commission (the Commission) must terminate an enterprise agreement when an application is made under s.225, where the requirements contained in s.226 are met.

[8] The relevant provisions are:

    225 Application for termination of an enterprise agreement after its nominal expiry date

    If an enterprise agreement has passed its nominal expiry date, any of the following may apply to FWC for the termination of the agreement:

      (a) one or more of the employers covered by the agreement;

      (b) an employee covered by the agreement;

      (c) an employee organisation covered by the agreement

    226 When FWC must terminate an enterprise agreement

    If an application for the termination of an enterprise agreement is made under section 225, FWC must terminate the agreement if:

      (a) FWC is satisfied that it is not contrary to the public interest to do so; and

      (b) FWC considers that it is appropriate to terminate the agreement taking into account all the circumstances including:

        (i) the views of the employees, each employer, and each employee organisation (if any), covered by the agreement; and

        (ii) the circumstances of those employees, employers and organisations including the likely effect that the termination will have on each of them.

    227 When termination comes into operation

    If an enterprise agreement is terminated under section 226, the termination operates from the day specified in the decision to terminate the agreement.”

Commission Proceedings

[9] The applications were accompanied by a Statutory Declaration by Andrew Nolan, the Applicant’s Head of Employee and Industrial Relations.

[10] Mr Nolan stated that:

    ● He was authorised to make the statement on behalf of the Applicant and its specified subsidiary companies.
    ● The Applicant was authorised to make the applications for the subsidiary companies.
    ● The matters in paragraph 3 above are correct.
    ● It is in the public interest for the agreements to be terminated.

[11] On 5 May 2016 I wrote to the unions listed in paragraph 4 above enclosing the application and the affidavit and requested advice as to any opposition to the proposed terminations by 13 May 2016.

[12] No opposition as expressed to the termination of any of these agreements.

[13] A reminder letter was sent to the unions on 23 May 2016.

Conclusion

[14] As a result of the process described above, I am satisfied that it is not contrary to the public interest, and that it is appropriate in all the circumstances to terminate the agreements. Pursuant to s.226 of the Act, I must approve the termination of the agreements.

[15] To avoid any doubt I also exercise my power pursuant to s.586 of the Act to correct/amend the applications to make it clear that the specified legal entities who are the employers covered by the relevant agreements are the applicants. This is done on the application of the Applicant. It is clear that the Applicant is the parent company and had the authority to make the applications. Given the complex administrative task of processing so many applications, such an amendment is necessary.

[16] A schedule listing the agreements to be terminated is attached to this decision as Annexure “A”.

[17] An Order terminating the Agreements will be issued together with this decision.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<Price code A,  PR581798>

Annexure A

File Ref

Agreement Title

Company entity

Agmnt ID

Nominal expiry date

AG2016/2975

Laing O'Rourke T/A Select Plant hire Employees Collective (NSW) Agreement 2008 - 2011

Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction Pty Limited trading as Select Plant
Hire (ABN 39 112 099 000)

AC316804

31/12/2011

AG2016/2976

Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction - QLD Building North Enterprise Agreement

Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd

AC302862

31/12/2008

AG2016/2977

Select Plant Hire t/as Select Constructions P/L and CFMEU Building and Construction Industry Collective Bargaining Agreement 2002-2005

Select Plant Hire Pty Ltd t/a Select Constructions

AG828991

31/10/2005

AG2016/2978

SELECT Plant hire Workshop Collective Agreement (Queensland) 2008 - 2011

Laing O'Rourke Construction Pty Ltd trading as Select Plant Hire

AC316020

30/06/2011

AG2016/2984

Laing O'Rourke Wetalla Advanced Water Treatment Plant Workplace Agreement 2008

Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd

AC315274

Not known

AG2016/2985

Cape Lambert Upgrade Project Laing O'Rourke CFMEU Greenfields Collective Agreement 2008

Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd

AC313261

Not known

AG2016/2986

Cape Lambert Upgrade Project Laing O'Rourke Metal Trades Greenfields Collective Agreement 2008

Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd

AC313370

Not known

AG2016/2987

Laing O'Rourke Ltd NewGen Kwinana Power Station (AMWU and CEPU) Agreement 2006-2009

Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd

AC302808

2009

AG2016/2988

Laing O'Rourke Ltd NewGen Kwinana Power Station Project (AWU and CFMEU) Agreement 2006-2009

Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd

AC302353

2009

AG2016/2989

Laing O'Rourke QLD Rail Infrastructure (Electrification Works) Collective Agreement 2007- 2010

Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd

AC314203

2010

AG2016/2990

LAING O'ROURKE RAIL ELECTRIFICATION WORKS CONSTRCUTION AGREEMENT DALRYMPLE BAY BALLOON LOOP 2006-200

Laing O'Rourke (BMC) Pty Limited (ABN 36 009 830 460)

AC303489

30/11/2007

AG2016/2991

LAINGOROURKE & EMPLOYEES RAIL GROUP-WESTERN AUSTRALIA PILBARA REGION COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT 2007-2010

Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd

AC309789

2010

AG2016/2992

Laing O'Rourke(BMC) Pty Limited TPI Project ( Bridgeworks) Greenfields Agreement 2006

Laing O'Rourke (BMC) Pty Limited

AC303262

Not known

AG2016/2993

Laing O'Rourke (BMC) Pty Ltd Bunbury Port Woodchip Project Greenfields Agreement 2006-2007

Laing O'Rourke (BMC) Pty Limited

AC302264

30/09/2007

AG2016/2994

Laing O'Rourke Burrup Materials Facility Construction Phase 1

Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd

AC315049

Not known

AG2016/2995

LAING O'ROURKE AUSTRALIA DARLING DOWNS POWER STATION GREENFIELDS PROJECT AGREEMENT

Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd

AC309126

Not known

AG2016/2996

LAING O'ROURKE AUSTRALIA PTY LTD LUGGAGE POINT AWTP WORKPLACE GREENFIELDS AGREEMENT 2007

Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd

AC306018

Not known

AG2016/2997

Laing O'Rourke Sandvik Shiploaders Assembly AMC Greenfields Agreement 2008

Laing O'Rourke Pty Ltd

AC314155

Not known

AG2016/2998

Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction pty Ltd T/A select Pant Hire - WA Gt Northern Highway Project

Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction Pty Limited trading as Select Plant Hire

AC316431

2009

AG2016/2999

Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd Grasstree Creek Workplace Agreement 2008

Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd

AC316711

24/11/2009

AG2016/3000

LAINGOROURKE ALCAN GOVE EXPANSION AGREEMENT 2007-2008

Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd

AC311713

4/11/2008

AG2016/3001

Laing O'Rourke Aust Construction Pty. Ltd. NCIG CET Project Greenfields Agt 2008-2010

Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd

AC314834

31/12/2010

AG2016/3002

Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction Grasstree Creek Project Workplace Agreement

Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd

AC317909

Not known

AG2016/3003

LAINGO'ROURKE AUSTRALIA CONSTRUCTION LUGGAGE POINT AWTP WORKPLACE AGREEMENT

Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd

AC306877

Not known

AG2016/3004

Select Civil Pty Ltd CFMEU Enterprise Agreement, 1999

Select Civil Pty Ltd

AG798109

Not known

AG2016/3005

Select Civil Pty Ltd CFMEU Enterprise Agreement, 2001-2003

Select Civil Pty Ltd

AG822221

17/03/2005

AG2016/3006

Select Construction Pty Ltd and MBAV/CFMEU Building and Construction Industry Collective Bargaining Agreement 1999-2002

Select Construction Pty Ltd

AG805940

Not known

AG2016/3007

Select Constructions Pty Ltd and CFMEU Building and Construction Industry Collective Bargaining Agreement 1999-2002

Select Construction Pty Ltd

AG817004

Not known

AG2016/3008

Redispan Conveyors Pty Ltd Tomago Workshop Collective Agreement 2008

Redispan Conveyors Pty Limited (ABN 95 092 454 898)

AC315213

31/12/2008

AG2016/3009

Redispan Conveyors Pty Ltd Tomago Workshop Enterprise Agreement 2006

Redispan Conveyors Pty Limited

AG846786

31/12/2006

AG2016/3010

Redispan Conveyors AUC Agreement 2006

Redispan Conveyors Pty Limited

AC304065

31/12/2007

AG2016/3011

AWU - CFMEU Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd Civil Construction Group (NSW) Civil Operations Enterprise Agreement 2004-2006

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG833663

31/12/2006

AG2016/3012

Barclay Mowlem - ACT Building Group Certified Agreement 1997-1999

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG770788

1999

AG2016/3013

Barclay Mowlem - Building Group (NSW) Enterprise Agreement [1997]

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG770547

Not known

AG2016/3014

Barclay Mowlem Construction Limited Alcan Gove Expansion Project (AWU, AMWU, CEPU) Agreement 2004

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG838677

4/11/2007

AG2016/3015

Barclay Mowlem Construction Limited - Alice Springs to Darwin Major Bridge Construction Agreement [2002]

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG817275

Not known

AG2016/3016

Barclay Mowlem Construction Limited - Alice Springs to Darwin Rail Construction Agreement [2002]

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG815500

Not known

AG2016/3017

Barclay Mowlem Construction Limited Curragh North Materials Handling Project Agreement

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG840874

31/12/2006

AG2016/3018

Barclay Mowlem Construction Limited Enterprise Agreement 1997 - 2000

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG770444

Not known

AG2016/3019

Barclay Mowlem Construction Limited (Mining Area C Development) Certified Agreement 2002

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG819164

Not known

AG2016/3020

Barclay Mowlem Construction Limited (Power Stations) - New South Wales - Enterprise Agreement 1994

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG769605

Not known

AG2016/3021

Barclay Mowlem Construction Limited Project Neweipa Partnership Agreement 2003

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG831462

31/08/2006

AG2016/3022

Barclay Mowlem Construction Limited Rail Group Pilbara Region Enterprise Agreement 2005

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG842399

9/09/2007

AG2016/3023

Barclay Mowlem Construction Limited Site Services Certified Agreement 2001

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG805656

Not known

AG2016/3024

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd Bold Park Reservoir Project Greenfields Agreement 2006

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AC300422

15/06/2007

AG2016/3025

BARCLAY MOWLEM CONSTRUCTION LTD DALRYMPE BAY COAL TERMINAL BALLOON LOOP 2006 2007

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AC301240

30/06/2007

AG2016/3026

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd Dampier Bulk Liquids Berth Project AWU Certified Agreement 2004

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG837541

18/11/2007

AG2016/3027

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd Dampier Bulk Liquids Berth Project CFMEU Certified Agreement 2004

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG837538

18/11/2007

AG2016/3028

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd Dampier Bulk Liquids Berth Project Metal Trades Certified Agreement 2004

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG837537

18/11/2007

AG2016/3029

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd Engineering Construction Group (Qld), Grove Project Enterprise Agreement 2000

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG771631

Not known

AG2016/3030

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd (Mining Area C Project) Metal Trades Certified Agreement 2003

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG821910

Not known

AG2016/3031

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd Resource Engineering Group (NSW) Civil Operations Enterprise Agreement 1999 - 2001

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG771279

2001

AG2016/3032

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd Shiploader Assembly Certified Agreement 2001

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG808822

Not known

AG2016/3033

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd, Thornlie Railway Station and Bridges - Structural Work Project Certified Agreement 2004-2005

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG834411

1/07/2005

AG2016/3034

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd, Thornlie Railway Station and Bridges - Structural Work Project Certified Agreement 2004-2005

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG834797

1/07/2005

AG2016/3035

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd Wellington Street Ramps Project Agreement [2000]

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG771613

Not known

AG2016/3036

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd (West Angelas Plant Project) Metal Trades Certified Agreement 2001

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG809124

Not known

AG2016/3037

Barclay Mowlem General Civil Engineering Projects - CFMEU Enterprise Agreement [1997]

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG770384

Not known

AG2016/3038

BARCLAY MOWLEM INFRASTRUCTURE EAST RAIL OPERATIONS AMU COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT 2006 2009

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AC301711

30/06/2009

AG2016/3039

BARCLAY MOWLEM INFRASTRUCTURE EAST RAIL OPERATIONS/AWU COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT 2006 2009

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AC301565

30/06/2009

AG2016/3040

Barclay Mowlem - Infrastructure Group Building (South) / CFMEU Enterprise Agreement [2006]

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG847981

31/12/2008

AG2016/3041

Barclay Mowlem (Marine and Civil Engineering Group) & Australian Workers Union Enterprise Agreement 1995/96

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG769914

Not known

AG2016/3042

Barclay Mowlem - Northern Territory Building Group Certified Agreement [1998]

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG770952

Not known

AG2016/3043

Barclay Mowlem - Northern Territory Building Group Certified Agreement [2002]

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG815595

Not known

AG2016/3044

Barclay Mowlem Northern Territory Building Group Certified Agreement 2005

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG843591

31/12/2007

AG2016/3045

Barclay Mowlem - NSW Building Group/CFMEU Enterprise Agreement [2002]

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG819899

Not known

AG2016/3046

Barclay Mowlem - NSW Building Group Enterprise Agreement 1999

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG771320

Not known

AG2016/3047

Barclay Mowlem Port Hedland Rail Operation Enterprise Agreement 1998 - June 30th 2000

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG771022

Not known

AG2016/3048

Barclay Mowlem Pty Ltd (Building Group - Victoria) and CFMEU Building and Construction Industry Collective Bargaining Agreement 2002-2005

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG827201

31/10/2005

AG2016/3049

Barclay Mowlem Rail Group, Port Hedland Rail Operations Enterprise Agreement 2000

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG771905

Not known

AG2016/3050

Barclay Mowlem Rail Group, Port Hedland Rail Operations Enterprise Agreement - June 2000 - June 2003

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG809125

Not known

AG2016/3051

Barclay Mowlem (Rail NSW) and Australian Workers Union Enterprise Agreement 1996/1997

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG770158

Not known

AG2016/3052

Barclay Mowlem (Resource Engineering Group) General Civil Engineering Projects - Western Australian - CFMEU Enterprise Agreement [1997]

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG770620

Not known

AG2016/3053

Barclay Mowlem (Resource Engineering Group) Gibson Island Works Certified Agreement 1998

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG770816

Not known

AG2016/3054

Barclay Mowlem Roberts and Schaefer Joint Venture - Blackwater Coal Handling Preparation Plant Project Agreement 2005

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG839644

30/06/2006

AG2016/3055

Barclay Mowlem / Thiess Joint Venture Darwin East Arm Port Stage 1 Remedial & Sundry Work Project Certified Agreement 2005

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG843521

20/10/2008

AG2016/3056

Dampier Port Upgrade Barclay Mowlem Construction Limited CFMEU Certified Agreement 2004

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG837367

5/11/2007

AG2016/3057

Dampier Port Upgrade Barclay Mowlem Construction Limited Electrical Trades Certified Agreement 2004

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG837366

5/11/2007

AG2016/3058

Dampier Port Upgrade Barclay Mowlem Construction Limited Metal Trades Certified Agreement 2004

Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd

AG837365

5/11/2007

AG2016/3059

Dampier Port Upgrade McConnell Dowell Barclay Mowlem Joint Venture CFMEU Certified Agreement 2004

McConnell Dowell Barclay Mowlem Joint Venture

AG837368

5/11/2007