[2013] FWCA 8532 |
FAIR WORK COMMISSION |
DECISION |
Fair Work Act 2009
s.185 - Application for approval of a single-enterprise agreement
Sika Australia Pty Ltd T/A Sika Australia Pty Ltd
(AG2013/9687)
SINGLE ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT SIKA AUSTRALIA PTY LTD PRODUCTION-WAREHOUSE - LABORATORY STAFF. WETHERILL PARK
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COMMISSIONER ROE | MELBOURNE, 29 OCTOBER 2013 |
Application for approval of the Single Enterprise Agreement Sika Australia Pty Ltd Production-Warehouse - Laboratory Staff. Wetherill Park.
[1] An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Single Enterprise Agreement Sika Australia Pty Ltd Production-Warehouse - Laboratory Staff. Wetherill Park (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by Sika Australia Pty Ltd T/A Sika Australia Pty Ltd (the Applicant). The agreement is a single-enterprise agreement.
[2] I was initially concerned with some aspects of the proposed Agreement and wrote to the company outlining those issues on 11 October 2013. On 25 October 2013 I received a signed undertaking in response to the queries from Mr Amit Virmani, Human Resources Business Partner of the Applicant. This undertaking now forms part of the Agreement and is kept on the file. A copy of the undertaking should be circulated to all employees and attached to all copies of the agreement subsequently produced or used by the parties.
[3] The undertaking which now forms part of the Agreement is attached.
[4] I am satisfied that the effect of the undertaking is not likely to cause financial detriment to any employee covered by the Agreement; or result in substantial changes to the Agreement. Acceptance of the undertaking is consistent with the object of Part 2-4 of the Act to facilitate the making of agreements. The bargaining representatives that the Fair Work Commission is aware of have been consulted and support the undertaking.
[5] 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. 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.
[6] The National Union of Workers has given notice under s.183 of the Act that it wants the Agreement to cover it. In accordance with s.201(2) of the Act I note that the Agreement covers the organisation.
[7] The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 5 November 2013. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 5 November 2017.
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- AGLC
- Sika Australia Pty Ltd T/A Sika Australia Pty Ltd [2013] FWCA 8532
- Case
- [2013] FWCA 8532
- Decision Date
CaseChat Overview and Summary
The primary legal issues for the FWC to consider were whether the agreement met the criteria for approval as outlined in the Fair Work Act and whether the appropriate process had been followed in negotiating and finalising the agreement. The FWC had to determine if the agreement fairly represented the interests of the employees, provided for terms and conditions of employment that were no less favourable than the applicable award or registered agreement, and was made in good faith and without coercion.
The FWC found that the application satisfied the statutory requirements for approval of the agreement. It was determined that the agreement was made in good faith and without coercion, and it provided terms and conditions that were at least as favourable as those provided in the relevant award. The FWC also confirmed that the process of negotiation and finalisation of the agreement was in accordance with the legal framework. As a result, the FWC approved the Single Enterprise Agreement.
The FWC's decision was to approve the Single Enterprise Agreement, allowing it to be registered and enforceable under the Fair Work Act. This approval ensures that the terms and conditions set out in the agreement will apply to the relevant employees, providing a clear and legally binding framework for their employment.
Orders
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Background
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