Lucas Total Contract Solutions (Services) Pty Ltd T/A Lucas Total Contract Solutions (Services) Pty Ltd

Case [2023] FWCA 3147


[2023] FWCA 3147

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Lucas Total Contract Solutions (Services) Pty Ltd T/A Lucas Total Contract Solutions (Services) Pty Ltd

(AG2023/2958)

LUCAS TCS ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2023

Mining industry

COMMISSIONER HUNT

BRISBANE, 28 SEPTEMBER 2023

Application for approval of the Lucas TCS Enterprise Agreement 2023

  1. Lucas Total Contract Solution (Services) Pty Ltd T/A Lucas Total Contract Solutions (Services) Pty Ltd (the Employer) has applied for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Lucas TCS Enterprise Agreement 2023 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). The Agreement is a single-enterprise agreement.

  1. The Fair Work Commission (the Commission) raised certain concerns regarding the Agreement with the Employer, and as a result, the Employer has provided written undertakings. A copy of the undertakings is attached at Annexure A. Pursuant to s.190(4) of the Act, I sought the views of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU) and employee bargaining representatives regarding the undertakings, allowing a period of two business days from receipt of the undertakings to provide any views. No views were received.

  1. 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. Pursuant to s.190 of the Act, I accept the undertakings. In accordance with s.201(3) of the Act, I note that the undertakings are taken to be a term of the Agreement.

  1. I have taken into consideration the material filed in the Commission. 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 s.186(3) and (3A) I am satisfied that the group of employees was fairly chosen.

  1. The CFMMEU, being a bargaining representative for the Agreement, has given notice under s.183 of the Act it wants the Agreement to cover it. In accordance with s.201(2) of the Act I note that the Agreement covers the CFMMEU.

  1. The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 5 October 2023. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 28 September 2027.

COMMISSIONER

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<AE521676  PR766663>

Annexure A – Undertaking

Details
AGLC
Lucas Total Contract Solutions (Services) Pty Ltd T/A Lucas Total Contract Solutions (Services) Pty Ltd [2023] FWCA 3147
Case
[2023] FWCA 3147
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The matter before the Fair Work Commission involved Lucas Total Contract Solutions (Services) Pty Ltd and the construction industry unions. The primary dispute was the approval of the Lucas TCS Enterprise Agreement 2023, which aimed to regulate employment conditions for employees within the company. The case was heard by the Fair Work Commission, which has jurisdiction over such matters under the Fair Work Act 2009.

The central legal issues before the Commission related to whether the agreement met the requirements of the Fair Work Act, specifically in terms of procedural fairness and compliance with the Act’s provisions on enterprise agreements. The Commission needed to determine if the agreement was made in good faith and if it provided for fair and reasonable terms and conditions of employment. Additionally, the Commission had to assess whether the agreement provided for the protection of employees' rights and entitlements as required by the legislation.

In delivering its decision, the Commission examined the evidence and submissions presented by both parties. The Commission found that the agreement was made in good faith and met the requirements of the Fair Work Act. It considered the process by which the agreement was negotiated and the extent to which it provided for fair and reasonable terms and conditions of employment. The Commission also noted that the agreement contained provisions that protected employees' rights and entitlements. Based on these findings, the Commission approved the Lucas TCS Enterprise Agreement 2023.

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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