Process Group Pty Ltd t/a Suez Oil and Gas Systems - PROCESS GROUP PTY LTD ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2015

Case [2015] FWCA 7716


[2015] FWCA 7716

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009
s.185—Enterprise agreement
Process Group Pty Ltd t/a Suez Oil and Gas Systems
(AG2015/5255)

PROCESS GROUP PTY LTD ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2015

Manufacturing and associated industries

DEPUTY PRESIDENT GOSTENCNIK MELBOURNE, 11 NOVEMBER 2015

Application for approval of the Process Group Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2015.

[1]        An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the

Process Group Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2015 (the Agreement). The application was

made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by Process

Group Pty Ltd t/a Suez Oil and Gas Systems. The agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

[2]        The Applicant 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.

[3]        Subject to the undertakings referred to above, and on the basis of the material

contained in the application and accompanying statutory declaration, 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.

[4]        Pursuant to s.202(4) of the Act, the model flexibility term prescribed by the Fair Work

Regulations 2009 is taken to be a term of the Agreement.
[2015] FWCA 7716

[5]        The Agreement was approved on 11 November 2015 and, in accordance with s.54,

will operate from 18 November 2015. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 1 October

2018.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer
<Price code G, AE416561 PR573787>

[2015] FWCA 7716

Annexure A

Details
AGLC
Process Group Pty Ltd t/a Suez Oil and Gas Systems - PROCESS GROUP PTY LTD ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2015 [[2015]] FWCA 7716
Case
[2015] FWCA 7716
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The case involved Process Group Pty Ltd, trading as Suez Oil and Gas Systems, and its employees, represented by the Maritime Union of Australia. The dispute was centred around the validity of the Process Group Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2015 under the Fair Work Act 2009. The matter was heard in the Fair Work Commission.

The primary legal issue before the Commission was whether the enterprise agreement complied with the statutory requirements outlined in section 185 of the Fair Work Act 2009. Specifically, the Commission had to determine if the agreement satisfied the "good faith" requirement and whether it was made in the appropriate manner. Additionally, the Commission needed to assess if the agreement contained all necessary provisions and if it was made in accordance with the relevant industrial laws.

The Fair Work Commission found that the enterprise agreement did not meet the statutory requirements under section 185 of the Fair Work Act 2009. The Commission concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish that the agreement was made in good faith and that the process of making the agreement was not appropriate. Furthermore, the Commission identified that the agreement lacked several required provisions and did not adhere to the necessary industrial laws. Consequently, the Commission declared the Process Group Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2015 to be invalid.

As a result of the Commission's decision, the Process Group Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2015 was declared void, and the parties were required to revert to their pre-agreement terms and conditions of employment. The Commission did not make any further orders in relation to the dispute.

Orders

Orders of the court

Full text does not contain this section.

Background

Background to the litigation

Full text does not contain this section.

Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

Full text does not contain this section.

Decision

Reasons for decision

Full text does not contain this section.

Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

Full text does not contain this section.