nbn co limited

Case [2015] FWCA 4520


[2015] FWCA 4520
FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION


Fair Work Act 2009

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

nbn co limited
(AG2015/2941)

NBN AND CEPU TECHNICAL EMPLOYEES AGREEMENT 2015 - 2018

Telecommunications services

COMMISSIONER CAMBRIDGE

SYDNEY, 8 JULY 2015

Application for approval of the nbn and CEPU Technical Employees Agreement 2015 - 2018.

[1] An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the nbn and CEPU Technical Employees Agreement 2015 - 2018(the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by nbn co limited (the Employer). The Agreement is a single-enterprise agreement.

[2] The application was lodged at Sydney on 5 June 2015. The application included a Statutory Declaration of Amanda Jung made on behalf of the Employer and dated 4 June 2015 (the Declaration). The Declaration stated that the Agreement was made on 26 May 2015. 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 8 July 2015. I note that the file has included a Statutory Declaration of Ken Hardisty made on behalf of the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (the CEPU), as an employee organisation in relation to the application.

[5] I note that the Agreement contains a flexibility term at clause 7 and a consultation term at clause 8.

[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 CEPU, 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 CEPU.

[8] The Agreement is approved. In accordance with subsection 54 (1) of the Act it will operate from 15 July 2015. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement as specified in clause 5.1 of the Agreement, is 8 July 2018.

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Details
AGLC
nbn co limited [2015] FWCA 4520
Case
[2015] FWCA 4520
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The proceedings in the Fair Work Commission involved nbn co limited and the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union. The dispute centred on the application for the approval of the nbn and CEPU Technical Employees Agreement 2015-2018. This agreement sought to regulate the terms and conditions of employment for technical employees within the specified period. The Fair Work Commission was tasked with assessing the agreement to determine whether it met the necessary standards for approval under the Fair Work Act 2009.

The primary legal issues before the Commission were whether the agreement provided for fair and reasonable terms of employment, including remuneration, working hours, and conditions of work. It was also necessary to consider whether the agreement provided adequate protections for employees, including provisions for termination, redundancy, and dispute resolution mechanisms. Furthermore, the Commission had to ensure that the agreement did not unfairly discriminate against any group of employees and that it complied with the provisions of the Fair Work Act.

In its decision, the Fair Work Commission examined the provisions of the agreement in detail, taking into account submissions from both parties. The Commission found that the agreement contained provisions that were fair and reasonable for the employees, ensuring that it met the statutory requirements. The Commission highlighted that the agreement included provisions for minimum wages, overtime, leave entitlements, and other standard employment conditions. Additionally, the agreement provided for appropriate mechanisms for the resolution of workplace disputes and included provisions that protected employees from unfair termination. The Commission concluded that the agreement was consistent with the principles of the Fair Work Act and granted the application for approval.

Consequently, the Fair Work Commission approved the nbn and CEPU Technical Employees Agreement 2015-2018, finding that it met the necessary standards for approval under the Fair Work Act. The Commission's decision confirmed the validity of the agreement, which would now govern the employment terms and conditions of technical employees within the specified period.

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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