Southern Queensland Steel Pty. Ltd. T/A Southern Steel Queensland

[2024] FWCA 2777

[2024] FWCA 2777

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Southern Queensland Steel Pty. Ltd. T/A Southern Steel Queensland

(AG2024/2495)

SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND STEEL PTY LTD 2024 ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT

Storage services
DEPUTY PRESIDENT DOBSON	BRISBANE, 29 JULY 2024

Application for approval of the Southern Queensland Steel Pty Ltd 2024 Enterprise Agreement

1. An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Southern Queensland Steel Pty Ltd 2024 Enterprise Agreement (the Agreement). The Application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by Southern Queensland Steel Pty Ltd T/A Southern Steel Queensland (the Applicant). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

1. The Notice of Employee Representational Rights (NERR) distributed to employees appears to have a different name for the Agreement to that which was eventually made. However, I am satisfied that the Agreement would have been genuinely agreed to but for the minor procedural departure from the prescribed form requirements of the NERR under s.174(1A) of the Act and that the employees covered by the Agreement were not likely to have been disadvantaged by this. Accordingly, I exercise the discretion conferred by s.188(5) of the Act.[1]

1. The Applicant has provided written undertakings. 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.

1. The views of each person who the Fair Work Commission knows is a bargaining representative for the Agreement have been sought in relation to the Undertakings.

1. Pursuant to s.190(3) of the Act, I accept the undertakings.

1. Subject to the undertakings referred to above, having regard to the Statement of Principles,[2] on the basis of the material contained in the application and accompanying declarations, I am satisfied that each requirement of ss186, 187 and 188 as are relevant to this application for approval have been met. The undertakings are taken to be a term of the Agreement.

1. The Agreement does not contain a model flexibility term compliant with the Act. Pursuant to s.202(4) of the Act, the model flexibility term prescribed by the Fair Work Regulations 2009 is taken to be a term of the Agreement

1. The Agreement does not contain a model consultation term compliant with the Act. Pursuant to section 205(2) of the Act, the model consultation term prescribed by the Fair Work Regulations 2009 is taken to be a term of the Agreement.

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

·   Clause 14.3 – Withholding monies at Termination.

·   Clause 29 – Annual Leave (Additional week for shiftworkers as defined).

However, noting clause 2(iii) 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 (UWU) lodged a Form F18 statutory declaration giving 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 the Agreement covers the UWU.

1. The Agreement is approved and will operate in accordance with s.54 of the Act. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 1 February 2027.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

[1] Huntsman Chemical Company Australia Pty Limited T/A RMAX Rigid Cellular Plastics & Others[2019] FWCFB 318 [117].

[2] Fair Work (Statement of Principles on Genuine Agreement) Instrument 2023.

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