Sibelco Australia Limited

Case [2017] FWCA 5228


[2017] FWCA 5228
FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION


Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Sibelco Australia Limited
(AG2017/4067)

SIBELCO AUSTRALIA MOLE CREEK ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2017

Cement and concrete products

DEPUTY PRESIDENT KOVACIC

CANBERRA, 10 OCTOBER 2017

Application for approval of the Sibelco Australia Mole Creek Enterprise Agreement 2017.

[1] An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Sibelco Australia Mole Creek Enterprise Agreement 2017 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by Sibelco Australia Limited. The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

[2] Subject to concerns that have been addressed by way of undertakings, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187 and 188 of the Act as are relevant to this application for approval have been met.

[3] As noted, pursuant to s.190(3), I have accepted undertakings from Sibelco Australia Limited. In accordance with s.191(1) of the Act the undertakings are taken to be a term of the Agreement. A copy of the undertakings are attached to this decision.

[4] The application was not lodged within 14 days after the agreement was made. Pursuant to s.185(3)(b), in all the circumstances I consider it fair to extend the time for making the application to the date it was actually made.

[5] The Construction, Forestry, 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.

[6] The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 17 October 2017. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 17 October 2020.

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Attachment A:

Details
AGLC
Sibelco Australia Limited [2017] FWCA 5228
Case
[2017] FWCA 5228
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Sibelco Australia Limited applied for approval of the Sibelco Australia Mole Creek Enterprise Agreement 2017. The application was brought before the Fair Work Commission, which was required to determine whether the agreement should be approved under the Fair Work Act 2009. The legal issues at the heart of this case revolved around whether the agreement contained all the mandated terms and conditions, whether it adhered to the procedural requirements, and whether it met the criteria for being a "better off overall" agreement.

The Commission examined the agreement to ensure it contained all the required terms and conditions, including minimum wage rates, penalty rates, leave entitlements, and other employment conditions. It also assessed whether the agreement was free from any discriminatory provisions, and if it complied with the procedural requirements, such as the notification and consultation obligations. Additionally, the Commission had to determine whether the agreement was "better off overall" for the employees by comparing the terms and conditions in the agreement with those in the relevant industrial instrument.

Upon conducting its assessment, the Commission found that the agreement contained all the necessary terms and conditions and was procedurally sound. The Commission also determined that the agreement was better off overall for the employees, as it provided improved terms and conditions compared to the existing industrial instrument. Consequently, the Commission approved the Sibelco Australia Mole Creek Enterprise Agreement 2017.

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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