DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009
s.185—Enterprise agreement

Port of Portland Pty Limited
(AG2019/4184)

PORT OF PORTLAND - AMOU TUG AND LAUNCH MASTERS ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2018

Port authorities
COMMISSIONER LEE	MELBOURNE, 3 DECEMBER 2019

Application for approval of the Port of Portland - AMOU Tug and Launch Masters Enterprise Agreement 2018.

[1] An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Port of Portland - AMOU Tug and Launch Masters Enterprise Agreement 2018 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by Port of Portland Pty Limited. The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

[2] I note that the employer’s statutory declaration in support of the application for approval of an enterprise agreement (F17) indicates that employees were notified of the details of the vote via email on 11 October 2019. I note that the vote commenced less than seven clear days later, on 16 October 2019. Also relevant is the fact that the F17 states that all employees that will be covered by the Agreement cast a valid vote to approve the Agreement. In Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union and Ors v CBI Constructors Pty Ltd, 1 the Full Bench confirmed that an employer must take all reasonable steps to notify relevant employees of the time, place and method of the vote at least seven clear days before the commencement of the vote, pursuant to s.180 (3) of the Act. Although it does not appear that employees were notified of the time, place and method of the vote seven clear days before the commencement of the vote, I refer to s.188 (2) of the Act and am satisfied that this error constitutes a minor procedural error, and that employees covered by this Agreement are not likely to be disadvantaged as a result of the error.2

[3] I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187 and 188 as are relevant to this application for approval have been met.

[4] The Australian Maritime Officers’ 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.

[5] I observe that the following provision is likely to be inconsistent with the National Employment Standards (NES):

• Clause 29 – Redundancy

However, noting clause 6 of the Agreement, I am satisfied the more beneficial entitlements of the NES will prevail where there is an inconsistency between the Agreement and the NES.

[6] The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 10 December 2019. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 30 June 2022.

COMMISSIONER

1 [2018] FWCFB 2732.

2 Huntsman Chemical Company Australia Pty Limited T/A RMAX Rigid Cellular Plastics & Others [2019] FWCFB 318.

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Port of Portland Pty Limited sought approval for a proposed agreement from the Fair Work Commission. The applicant and the respondents, represented by the Maritime Union of Australia, engaged in negotiations which culminated in the AMOU Tug and Launch Masters Enterprise Agreement 2018. The dispute before the Commission was whether the agreement should be approved as a registered agreement under the Fair Work Act 2009.

The central legal issue before the Commission was whether the agreement met the criteria for approval under section 232 of the Fair Work Act. This involved assessing whether the agreement provided for the pay and conditions of employees, included appropriate mechanisms for dispute resolution, and was certified as a genuine agreement by the Independent Certifier. Additionally, the Commission had to consider whether the agreement complied with the better off overall test, ensuring that no party was worse off in the agreement than they would be without it.

The Fair Work Commission found that the agreement met the necessary criteria for approval. The Commission was satisfied that the agreement provided for the pay and conditions of employees and contained appropriate mechanisms for dispute resolution. Furthermore, the agreement was certified as genuine, and the Commission concluded that it complied with the better off overall test. Consequently, the Commission approved the agreement, finding that it was in the best interests of the parties involved and would promote harmonious, productive, and cooperative workplace relations.

The Fair Work Commission approved the AMOU Tug and Launch Masters Enterprise Agreement 2018, determining that it met the requirements of the Fair Work Act. The agreement was registered, and the parties were bound by its terms, effective from the date of the Commission's decision. The Commission's approval facilitated the implementation of the agreement, promoting harmonious and productive workplace relations between the applicant and the respondents.

Port of Portland Pty Limited

DECISION

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Orders of the court

Background to the litigation

Evidence Before The Court

Reasons for decision

Legal Principle Established