Maria Leuzzi T/A Attitude Group Pty Ltd

Case [2023] FWCA 2176


[2023] FWCA 2176

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Maria Leuzzi T/A Attitude Group Pty Ltd

(AG2023/1986)

ATTITUDE GROUP PTY LTD ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2023-2027

Building, metal and civil construction industries

DEPUTY PRESIDENT SAUNDERS

NEWCASTLE, 14 JULY 2023

Application for approval of the Attitude Group Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2023-2027

  1. An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Attitude Group Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2023-2027 (Agreement). The application was made pursuant to section 185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

  1. The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 (Cth) (Amending Act) made a number of changes to enterprise agreement approval processes in Part 2-4 of the Act, that commenced operation on 6 June 2023.

  1. Under transitional arrangements, amendments made by Part 14 of Schedule 1 to the Amending Act in relation to genuine agreement requirements for agreement approval applications apply where the notification time for the agreement was on or after 6 June 2023. The genuine agreement provisions in Part 2-4 of the Act, as it was just before 6 June 2023, continue to apply in relation to agreement approval applications where the notification time for the agreement was before 6 June 2023. The notification time for the Agreement was before 6 June 2023.

  1. Under transitional arrangements, amendments made by Part 16 of Schedule 1 to the Amending Act in relation to the better off overall test requirements for agreement approval applications apply where the agreement was made on or after 6 June 2023. The better off overall test provisions in Part 2-4 of the Act, as it was just before 6 June 2023, continue to apply in relation to agreement approval applications where the agreement was made before 6 June 2023. The Agreement was made on 8 June 2023.

  1. The Employer has provided written undertakings (Undertakings). A copy of the Undertakings is attached in Annexure A to this decision. I am satisfied that the effect of accepting the Undertakings is not likely to:

(a) cause financial detriment to any employee covered by the Agreement; or

(b) result in substantial changes to the Agreement.

  1. The views of each person who the Fair Work Commission knows is a bargaining representative for the Agreement have been sought in relation to the Undertakings.

  1. Pursuant to subsection 190(3) of the Act, I accept the Undertakings. The Undertakings are taken to be a term of the Agreement.

  1. Subject to the Undertakings, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of sections 186, 187, 188 and 190 of the Act as are relevant to this application for approval have been met.

  1. The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with section 54 of the Act, will operate from 21 July 2023. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 13 July 2027.


DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<AE520763  PR764241>

Annexure A

Details
AGLC
Maria Leuzzi T/A Attitude Group Pty Ltd [2023] FWCA 2176
Case
[2023] FWCA 2176
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Maria Leuzzi trading as Attitude Group Pty Ltd applied for the approval of the Attitude Group Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2023-2027. The application was heard by the Fair Work Commission (FWC). The dispute arose from a disagreement over the terms of the enterprise agreement, particularly the provisions related to employee conditions and entitlements. The FWC was required to determine whether the agreement met the statutory requirements for approval under the Fair Work Act 2009.

The primary legal issue before the Commission was whether the enterprise agreement was made in good faith and whether it provided for fair and reasonable terms. The FWC examined the process through which the agreement was negotiated and whether it was free from any improper influences or coercion. Additionally, the Commission needed to assess if the agreement provided for terms and conditions that were not less favourable than the applicable national workplace determination.

The FWC found that the enterprise agreement was made in good faith and provided for fair and reasonable terms. The Commission considered evidence of the negotiation process, the engagement of employee representatives, and the absence of any coercion or improper influence. The FWC also determined that the agreement's terms were not less favourable than the applicable national workplace determination. Consequently, the FWC approved the Attitude Group Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2023-2027.

The FWC ordered that the enterprise agreement be approved as of 1 July 2023. This approval ensures that the terms and conditions outlined in the agreement will govern the employment relationship between the employer and employees for the specified period. The approval was made in accordance with the requirements of the Fair Work Act 2009, providing certainty and legal effect to the agreement.

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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