Steggles Pty Ltd

[2014] FWCA 4710

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009
s.185—Enterprise agreement

Steggles Pty Ltd
(AG2014/1727)

STEGGLES PTY LIMITED MAREEBA HATCHERY ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2014-2018

Agricultural industry
SENIOR DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMBERGER	SYDNEY, 14 JULY 2014

Application for approval of the Steggles Pty Limited Mareeba Hatchery Enterprise Agreement 2014-2018.

[1] An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Steggles Pty Limited Mareeba Hatchery Enterprise Agreement 2014-2018 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act).

[2] 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] The Agreement is approved and will operate from 21 July 2014. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 1 July 2018.

SENIOR DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Steggles Pty Ltd applied to the Fair Work Commission for approval of the Steggles Pty Limited Mareeba Hatchery Enterprise Agreement 2014-2018. The applicant, Steggles Pty Ltd, is an employer engaged in the poultry industry, and the respondents are the unions representing the employees of the Mareeba Hatchery. The dispute concerns the terms and conditions of employment for workers at the Mareeba Hatchery, including wages, hours of work, and other employment-related matters. The Fair Work Commission was required to determine whether the agreement complied with the Fair Work Act 2009 and whether it met the requirements for approval under the legislation.

The central legal issues before the Commission were whether the agreement provided for a fair and reasonable terms and conditions of employment, and whether it had been genuinely negotiated between the parties. The Commission examined the provisions of the agreement and considered the evidence provided by both parties. The Commission noted that the agreement provided for minimum wages and conditions, as well as provisions for overtime and penalty rates. The Commission also considered the bargaining process and whether it had been genuine and in good faith. The Commission found that the agreement was fair and reasonable and that it had been genuinely negotiated.

The Fair Work Commission approved the Steggles Pty Limited Mareeba Hatchery Enterprise Agreement 2014-2018. The Commission determined that the agreement met the requirements for approval under the Fair Work Act 2009. The Commission noted that the agreement provided for minimum wages and conditions, as well as provisions for overtime and penalty rates. The Commission also found that the bargaining process had been genuine and in good faith. The Commission approved the agreement, which will now apply to the employees of the Mareeba Hatchery.

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Orders of the court

Background to the litigation

Evidence Before The Court

Reasons for decision

Legal Principle Established