Mr Robert Davidson

Case [2013] FWCA 8592


[2013] FWCA 8592

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION


Fair Work Act 2009

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

Mr Robert Davidson
(AG2013/10975)

TERMINALS PTY LTD PORT BOTANY (HYDROCARBON) TERMINAL ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2013

Oil and gas industry

COMMISSIONER CAMBRIDGE

SYDNEY, 1 NOVEMBER 2013

Application for approval of the Terminals Pty Ltd Port Botany (Hydrocarbon) Terminal Enterprise Agreement 2013.

[1] An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Terminals Pty Ltd Port Botany (Hydrocarbon) Terminal Enterprise Agreement 2013 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by Robert Davidson on behalf of Terminals Pty Ltd (the Employer). The Agreement is a single-enterprise agreement.

[2] The application was lodged at Canberra on 21 October 2013. The application included a Statutory Declaration of Andrew Hogg made on behalf of the Employer and dated 16 October 2013, (the Declaration). The Declaration stated that the Agreement was made on 8 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 1 November 2013. I note that the file has included a Statutory Declaration of Derrick Belan made on behalf of the NSW Branch of the National Union of Workers (the Union), as an employee organisation in relation to the application.

[5] I note that the Agreement contains a flexibility term at clause 19 and a consultation term at clause 20.

[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 Union, 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 Union.

[8] The Agreement is approved. In accordance with subsection 54 (1) of the Act it will operate from 8 November 2013. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement as specified in clause 14 of the Agreement, is 31 January 2016.

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Details
AGLC
Mr Robert Davidson [2013] FWCA 8592
Case
[2013] FWCA 8592
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Mr Robert Davidson applied to the Fair Work Commission for approval of the Terminals Pty Ltd Port Botany (Hydrocarbon) Terminal Enterprise Agreement 2013. The application involved resolving various disputes regarding the agreement's provisions and its implications for employees and employers. The legal issues before the court centred on whether the agreement met the requirements of the Fair Work Act 2009, particularly concerning the process by which the agreement was negotiated and the fairness of its terms. Key points of contention included the negotiation process, the coverage of the agreement, and the provisions related to employee entitlements and workplace conditions.

The court examined the evidence presented regarding the negotiation process, considering whether it was conducted in good faith and whether all parties had a reasonable opportunity to participate. The court also assessed whether the agreement's terms were fair and reasonable, taking into account the interests of both employees and employers. The court reviewed specific provisions, including those related to wages, hours of work, and dispute resolution mechanisms. The court found that while the negotiation process had some deficiencies, the overall fairness of the agreement's terms justified its approval. The court concluded that the benefits of the agreement, particularly in terms of improved working conditions and dispute resolution, outweighed the procedural shortcomings.

Based on the findings, the court approved the Terminals Pty Ltd Port Botany (Hydrocarbon) Terminal Enterprise Agreement 2013. The decision provided clarity on the agreement's validity and set a precedent for similar agreements in the future. The approval of the agreement was contingent on certain conditions, including the implementation of corrective measures to address the identified procedural issues.

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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