Smardt Chillers Pty Ltd
[2024] FWCA 1011
•21 MARCH 2024
| [2024] FWCA 1011 |
| FAIR WORK COMMISSION |
| DECISION |
Fair Work Act 2009
s.185 - Application for approval of a single-enterprise agreement
Smardt Chillers Pty Ltd
(AG2024/603)
SMARDT CHILLERS PTY LTD COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT 2024-2026
| Manufacturing and associated industries | |
| COMMISSIONER PERICA | MELBOURNE, 21 MARCH 2024 |
Smardt Chillers Pty Ltd Collective Agreement 2024 - 2026
An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Smardt Chillers Pty Ltd Collective Agreement 2024 - 2026 (the Agreement). The application is made under section 185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.
The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs Better Pay) Act 2022 (Cth) (the Amending Act) made a number of changes to enterprise agreement approval processes in Part 2-4 of the Act, that commenced operation on 6 June 2023.
Under the transitional amendments made by Part 14 of Schedule 1 to the Amending Act, the genuine agreement requirements for agreement approval applications apply where the notification time for the agreement was on or after 6 June 2023. The genuine agreement provisions in Part 2-4 of the Act, as it was just before 6 June 2023, continue to apply in relation to agreement approval applications where the notification time for the agreement was before 6 June 2023. The notification time for this Agreement was 5 October 2024. It follows the Amending Act genuine agreement provisions apply.
Under the transitional arrangements, by Part 16 of Schedule 1 of the Amending Act, amendments made to the better off overall test requirements for agreement approval applications apply where the agreement was made on or after 6 June 2023. This Agreement was made on 21 February 2024. It follows the Amending Act better off overall test as set out in sections 193 and 193A of the Act applies.
The Employer has provided a written undertaking. A copy of this undertaking is attached in Annexure A. I am satisfied 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. I therefore note the undertaking is taken to be a term of the Agreement under section 201(3) of the Act.
Subject to the undertaking, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of sections 186, 187, 188, 190, 193 and 193A relevant to this application for approval have been met. The Agreement does not cover all the employees of the employer, however, taking into account the factors in sections 186(3) and (3A), I am satisfied that the group of employees was fairly chosen.
This matter was listed for a mention hearing on 21 March 2024 to clarify the manner in which employees were informed of the method of voting. Ms. Emma Papps of AI Group represented the Applicant together with Mr. Michael Frew and employee bargaining representatives Mr. Jarrod Days, Ms. Susan Stevens, Mr. Rodney Dreher and Mr Daniel Mitchell. Mr. Frew outlined the process and the employee bargaining representatives confirmed there was no misunderstanding on the method of voting. I am satisfied the employees were fully informed of the time, place and method of voting consistent with Principles 15 and 16.
The Agreement is approved today 21 March 2024. It will operate from 28 March 2024 as required by section 54 of the Act. The nominal expiry date is 31 December 2026.
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Annexure A
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