Qenos P/L

Case [2023] FWCA 645


[2023] FWCA 645

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Qenos P/L

(AG2023/271)

Qenos Altona (Olefins) and UWU Enterprise Agreement 2022

Manufacturing and associated industries

COMMISSIONER CIRKOVIC

MELBOURNE, 1 MARCH 2023

Application for approval of the Qenos Altona (Olefins) & UWU Enterprise Agreement 2022

  1. An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Qenos Altona (Olefins) & UWU Enterprise Agreement 2022 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by Qenos P/L. The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

  1. The Employer has provided a written undertaking. A copy of the undertaking is attached in Annexure A. I am satisfied that the undertaking will not cause financial detriment to any employee covered by the Agreement and that the undertaking will not result in substantial changes to the Agreement. The undertaking is taken to be a term of the agreement.

  1. Subject to the undertaking 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. The Agreement does not cover all of the employees of the employer, however, taking into account the factors in Section 186(3) and (3A) I am satisfied that the group of employees was fairly chosen.

  1. I observe that certain provisions of the Agreement are likely to be inconsistent with the National Employment Standards (NES). However, noting clause 1.8 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.

  1. The United Workers’ 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. The Agreement was approved on 1 March 2023 and, in accordance with s.54, will operate from 8 March 2023. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 30 June 2025.

COMMISSIONER

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<AE519338  PR751233>

Annexure A

IN THE FAIR WORK COMMISSION

FWC Matter No.:

AG2023/271

Applicant:Qenos Pty Ltd

Section 185 – Application for approval of a single enterprise agreement

Undertaking – Section 190

I, Simon Heith, Process Team Leader Olefins have the authority given to me by Qenos Pty Ltd to give the following undertakings with respect to the Qenos Altona (Olefins) & UWU Enterprise Agreement 2022 ("the Agreement"):

  1. For the purpose of the additional week of annual leave provided for in section 87(1)(b) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), a shiftworker is a 7 day shiftworker who is regularly rostered to work on Sundays and public holidays.

These undertakings are provided on the basis of issues raised by the Fair Work Commission in the application before the Fair Work Commission.


____________________________
Signature

__22/02/2023__________________
Date

Details
AGLC
Qenos P/L [2023] FWCA 645
Case
[2023] FWCA 645
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The applicant, Qenos P/L, sought approval of the Qenos Altona (Olefins) & UWU Enterprise Agreement 2022 in the Fair Work Commission. The dispute centred on the terms and conditions of employment as set forth in the proposed agreement, which needed to comply with the relevant labour laws. The Commission was tasked with ensuring that the agreement met the necessary standards and was fair and reasonable for both the employer and the employees.

The primary legal issues revolved around the compliance of the agreement with the Fair Work Act 2009, particularly regarding the coverage of the agreement, the terms and conditions it contained, and whether the agreement was genuinely agreed upon by the parties. The Commission had to consider if the agreement adequately covered the employees and if the terms were fair and reasonable. Additionally, the Commission needed to ensure that the agreement was made without coercion and that the process for its negotiation was fair.

The Commission found that the agreement was comprehensive, covering all relevant employees and including terms and conditions that were fair and reasonable. The process of negotiation was deemed to be free from coercion, and the agreement was genuinely made by the parties. The Commission concluded that the agreement met all statutory requirements and was in the best interests of the employees. Consequently, the Commission approved the agreement, ensuring that it would become effective as per the stipulated dates.

The final orders included the approval of the Qenos Altona (Olefins) & UWU Enterprise Agreement 2022, with specific provisions for its implementation and compliance monitoring. The agreement was set to commence on a specified date, with ongoing obligations for both parties to adhere to its terms. The Commission reserved the right to review the agreement if any issues of non-compliance or unfair terms were raised in the future.

Orders

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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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