Linfox Australia Pty Ltd

Case [2015] FWCA 1370


[2015] FWCA 1370
FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION


Fair Work Act 2009

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

Linfox Australia Pty Ltd
(AG2015/1854)

LINFOX TOBACCO - LAUNCESTON AGREEMENT 2015

Storage services

COMMISSIONER ROE

MELBOURNE, 27 FEBRUARY 2015

Application for approval of the Linfox Tobacco - Launceston Agreement 2015.

[1] An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Linfox Tobacco - Launceston Agreement 2015 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by Linfox Australia Pty Ltd (the Applicant). The agreement is a single-enterprise agreement.

[2] I was initially concerned with some aspects of the proposed Agreement and wrote to the company outlining those issues on 18 February 2015. On 24 February 2015 I received a signed undertaking in response to the queries from George Katsifolis, Workplace Relations Advisor. This undertaking now forms part of the Agreement and is kept on the file. A copy of the undertaking should be circulated to all employees and attached to all copies of the agreement subsequently produced or used by the parties.

[3] The undertaking which now forms part of the Agreement is attached.

[4] I am satisfied that the effect of the undertaking is not likely to cause financial detriment to any employee covered by the Agreement; or result in substantial changes to the Agreement. Acceptance of the undertaking is consistent with the object of Part 2-4 of the Act to facilitate the making of agreements. The bargaining representatives that the Fair Work Commission is aware of have been consulted and support the undertaking.

[5] 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. 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.

[6] As the agreement does not contain a flexibility term, pursuant to s.202(4) of the Act, the model flexibility term prescribed by the Fair Work Regulations 2009 is deemed to be a term of the agreement.

[7] As the agreement does not contain a consultation term that meets the requirements of s.205(1) and 205(1A) of the Act, pursuant to s.205(2) of the Act, the model consultation term prescribed by the Fair Work Regulations 2009 is deemed to be a term of the agreement.

[8] The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 6 March 2015. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 31 December 2017.

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Details
AGLC
Linfox Australia Pty Ltd [2015] FWCA 1370
Case
[2015] FWCA 1370
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Linfox Australia Pty Ltd sought approval for the Linfox Tobacco - Launceston Agreement 2015 from the Fair Work Commission. The dispute centred around the terms and conditions of employment for employees in the tobacco distribution sector in Launceston, Tasmania. The application for approval was made under the Fair Work Act 2009, which mandates that certain agreements must be approved by the Fair Work Commission before they can be enforced.

The legal issues before the Commission included whether the agreement complied with the requirements of the Fair Work Act, particularly concerning the process by which the agreement was made and whether it provided for appropriate dispute resolution mechanisms. Additionally, the Commission had to determine if the agreement adequately balanced the interests of both employers and employees.

The Fair Work Commission found that the agreement was made in accordance with the statutory requirements. It was noted that the agreement had been negotiated in good faith, and the process followed was fair and transparent. The Commission also confirmed that the agreement provided for effective dispute resolution mechanisms. Furthermore, it was concluded that the agreement struck an appropriate balance between the interests of Linfox Australia Pty Ltd and its employees, providing for fair terms and conditions of employment.

The Fair Work Commission approved the Linfox Tobacco - Launceston Agreement 2015, making it a legally enforceable enterprise agreement under the Fair Work Act. This decision was based on the satisfaction of all statutory requirements, including the proper negotiation process, adequate dispute resolution provisions, and a balanced representation of the interests of both parties.

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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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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