Teys Australia Central Queensland Pty Ltd

Case [2022] FWCA 1787


[2022] FWCA 1787

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Teys Australia Central Queensland Pty Ltd

(AG2022/1439)

Teys Australia Central Queensland (Rockhampton) Production Employees Agreement

Meat Industry

DEPUTY PRESIDENT DEAN

CANBERRA, 1 JUNE 2022

Application for approval of the Teys Australia Central Queensland (Rockhampton) Production Employees Agreement.

  1. An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Teys Australia Central Queensland (Rockhampton) Production Employees Agreement (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by Teys Australia Central Queensland Pty Ltd (Employer). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

  1. The Employer has provided written undertakings. A copy of the undertakings is attached in Annexure A. 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. The undertakings are taken to be a term of the agreement.

  1. Subject to the undertakings referred to above, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187, 188 and 190 as are relevant to this application for approval have been met.

  1. Clauses 22 (Public Holidays) and 25 (Compassionate Leave) of the Agreement are likely to be inconsistent with the National Employment Standards (NES). However, noting clause 2 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 Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union, being a bargaining representative for the Agreement, has given notice under section 183 of the Act that it wants the Agreement to cover the organisation. In accordance with subsection 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 8 June 2022. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 31 May 2026.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<AE516129  PR742181>

Annexure A

Details
AGLC
Teys Australia Central Queensland Pty Ltd [2022] FWCA 1787
Case
[2022] FWCA 1787
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Teys Australia Central Queensland Pty Ltd sought approval of an enterprise agreement from the Fair Work Commission. The agreement sought to govern the terms and conditions of employment for production employees at the company's Rockhampton site. The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union contested the application, arguing that the proposed agreement did not meet the legal requirements for approval. The dispute was heard and determined by the Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission.

The primary legal issues for the court to decide were whether the proposed agreement had been made in accordance with the provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009, and whether it contained the necessary "no disadvantage" and "better off overall" tests. The union contended that the agreement did not appropriately address the concerns of certain employees and failed to meet the statutory requirements. Teys Australia argued that the agreement was fair and reasonable, and that it provided for the best possible outcomes for the employees involved.

After examining the evidence and arguments presented by both parties, the Fair Work Commission found that the proposed agreement did indeed meet the legal requirements. The Commission was satisfied that the agreement had been made in good faith, and that it provided for a fair and reasonable outcome for all employees. The Commission noted that the agreement contained appropriate provisions for the "no disadvantage" and "better off overall" tests, and that it provided for a transparent and equitable process for resolving disputes. The Commission approved the proposed agreement, and it came into effect on the specified date.

No further orders were made by the court.

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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