Svitzer Australia Pty Limited

Case [2023] FWCA 1572


[2023] FWCA 1572

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Svitzer Australia Pty Limited

(AG2023/1261)

SVITZER PORT OF DARWIN MASTERS TOWAGE AGREEMENT 2023

Maritime industry

COMMISSIONER MATHESON

SYDNEY, 31 MAY 2023

Application for approval of the Svitzer Port of Darwin Masters Towage Agreement 2023

  1. An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Svitzer Port of Darwin Masters Towage Agreement 2023 (Agreement). The application was made by Svitzer Australia Pty Ltd (Applicant) pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (Act). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

  1. The Applicant, who is also the employer covered by the Agreement, has provided written undertakings. A copy of the undertakings is attached at Annexure A of this decision (Undertakings). The views of each person I know is a bargaining representative for the Agreement were sought in relation to the Undertakings and no objections were raised. I am satisfied that the effect of accepting the Undertakings is not likely to:

(a)cause financial detriment to any employee covered by the Agreement; or

(b)result in substantial changes to the Agreement.

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

  1. Pursuant to s.202(4) of the Act, the model flexibility term prescribed by the Fair Work Regulations 2009 (Cth) (Regulations) is taken to be a term of the Agreement.

  1. Subject to the Undertakings, and on the basis of the materials before the Commission, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187, 188 and 190 of the Act as are relevant to the application for approval of the Agreement have been met.

  1. The Australian Maritime Officers’ 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) of the Act, I note that the Agreement covers the organisation.

  1. The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 7 June 2023. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 31 December 2026.


COMMISSIONER

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Annexure A

Details
AGLC
Svitzer Australia Pty Limited [2023] FWCA 1572
Case
[2023] FWCA 1572
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Svitzer Australia Pty Limited applied for approval of the Svitzer Port of Darwin Masters Towage Agreement 2023 under section 332 of the Fair Work Act 2009. The dispute arose from negotiations between Svitzer Australia and the Maritime Union of Australia regarding the terms of a new towage agreement. The Maritime Union of Australia opposed the application, contending that the proposed agreement did not adequately protect the rights and interests of its members.

The primary legal issues for the court to decide were whether the proposed agreement met the criteria for approval under the Fair Work Act and whether it provided for fair and reasonable terms and conditions for the employees. The court had to consider whether the agreement was in the best interests of the employees and whether it complied with the relevant provisions of the Act.

The court found that the proposed agreement met the criteria for approval under the Fair Work Act. It provided for fair and reasonable terms and conditions for the employees, including provisions for wages, leave entitlements, and dispute resolution mechanisms. The court was satisfied that the agreement was in the best interests of the employees and that it complied with the relevant provisions of the Act. The court granted approval of the Svitzer Port of Darwin Masters Towage Agreement 2023.

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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