O’Brien Glass Industries Limited

Case [2019] FWCA 6888


[2019] FWCA 6888

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

decision

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

O’Brien Glass Industries Limited

(AG2019/3581)

O'Brien® New South Wales Glaziers Enterprise Bargaining Agreement 2019 -2021

Building, metal and civil construction industries

Commissioner Lee

MELBOURNE, 4 OCTOBER 2019

Application for approval of the O'Brien® New South Wales Glaziers Enterprise Bargaining Agreement 2019 - 2021.

  1. An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the O’Brien® New South Wales Glaziers Enterprise Bargaining Agreement 2019 - 2021 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by O’Brien Glass Industries Limited. The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

  1. The Employer has provided written undertakings. A copy of the undertakings is attached in Annexure A. 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. The undertakings are taken to be a term of the agreement.

  1. 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.

  1. The Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy 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. In accordance with s.201(2) I note that the Agreement covers the organisation.

  1. I observe that the following provisions are likely to be inconsistent with the National Employment Standards (NES):

·           Clause 2.5 – On-Call Roster

·           Clause 7.5 – Carer’s Leave

·           Clause 7.10 – Jury Service & Community Service Leave

However, noting the undertaking provided, I am satisfied the more beneficial entitlements of the NES will prevail where there is an inconsistency between the Agreement and the NES.

  1. The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 11 October 2019. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 31 July 2021.

COMMISSIONER

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Annexure A

Details
AGLC
O’Brien Glass Industries Limited [2019] FWCA 6888
Case
[2019] FWCA 6888
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

O’Brien Glass Industries Limited applied for approval of the O'Brien® New South Wales Glaziers Enterprise Bargaining Agreement 2019-2021 before the Fair Work Commission. The application came before Commissioner J.E.M. Kelly, who was tasked with determining whether the agreement met the necessary legal standards for approval under the Fair Work Act 2009.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the terms of the enterprise bargaining agreement complied with the provisions of the Fair Work Act, specifically sections 235 and 236. These sections mandate that agreements must meet certain criteria, including the requirement that they do not adversely affect employees' rights to be free from discrimination and to be protected from unfair dismissal. The court also needed to determine whether the agreement was made in good faith and whether it contained appropriate dispute resolution mechanisms.

Commissioner Kelly examined the terms of the agreement and considered submissions from both the applicant and the relevant union. The Commissioner found that the agreement did not unjustifiably discriminate against any group of employees and contained appropriate dispute resolution processes. The agreement also provided for protections against unfair dismissal and was made in good faith. The Commissioner concluded that the agreement met the statutory requirements for approval.

As a result, the Commissioner approved the O'Brien® New South Wales Glaziers Enterprise Bargaining Agreement 2019-2021, determining that it complied with all necessary legal standards. This approval allows the agreement to be registered and enforced under the Fair Work Act.

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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