Qenos Pty Ltd T/A Qenos

Case [2019] FWCA 6887


[2019] FWCA 6887

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

decision

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Qenos Pty Ltd T/A Qenos

(AG2019/3494)

Qenos Altona Enterprise Agreement 2018

Manufacturing and associated industries

Commissioner Lee

MELBOURNE, 4 OCTOBER 2019

Application for approval of the Qenos Altona Enterprise Agreement 2018.

  1. An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Qenos Altona 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 Qenos Pty Ltd T/A Qenos. 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 Australian Workers’ Union, “Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) and Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia being bargaining representatives for the Agreement, has given notice under s.183 of the Act that they want the Agreement to cover them. In accordance with s.201(2) I note that the Agreement covers the organisations.

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

·           Clause 4.10d - Annual Leave Entitlement

·           Clause 7.3.4 - Annual Leave Entitlement - Shift Workers

·           Clause 7.3.7 - Sick Leave

·           Clause 7.4.2 - Personal/Carer’s Leave

·           Clause 7.2.4.b - Public Holiday Entitlement

However, noting clause 1.9 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 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 30 June 2022.

COMMISSIONER

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Annexure A

Details
AGLC
Qenos Pty Ltd T/A Qenos [2019] FWCA 6887
Case
[2019] FWCA 6887
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The case involves Qenos Pty Ltd trading as Qenos and the relevant unions. The dispute pertains to the approval of the Qenos Altona Enterprise Agreement 2018, which was submitted for approval under the Fair Work Act 2009. The Fair Work Commission was the court that heard the application.

The central legal issues before the Commission were whether the agreement met the necessary criteria for approval under the Act, particularly focusing on whether it provided for fair and reasonable terms and conditions for the employees covered by the agreement. The Commission also had to determine whether the agreement complied with any relevant industrial instruments and if the agreement was made in good faith and without coercion.

In delivering its decision, the Fair Work Commission found that the Qenos Altona Enterprise Agreement 2018 was made in good faith and without coercion, and it provided for fair and reasonable terms and conditions for the employees. The Commission was satisfied that the agreement complied with the relevant industrial instruments and met all statutory requirements. Consequently, the Commission approved the agreement, finding that it was fair and reasonable for the purposes of the Act.

The Fair Work Commission approved the Qenos Altona Enterprise Agreement 2018, effective from 1 July 2018. This decision confirmed that the agreement met all statutory requirements and provided fair and reasonable terms and conditions for the employees involved.

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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