Tutt Bryant Group Limited T/A Tutt Bryant Heavy Lift & Shift

Case [2020] FWCA 3958


[2020] FWCA 3958

The attached document replaces the document previously issued with the above code on 29 July 2020.

By correcting reference to 2020 FWCA 3958

Member Assist

Associate to Commissioner Yilmaz

Dated 30 July 2020

[2020] FWCA 3958
FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION


Fair Work Act 2009

s.210—Enterprise agreement

Tutt Bryant Group Limited T/A Tutt Bryant Heavy Lift & Shift
(AG2020/2111)

TUTT BRYANT HEAVY LIFT & SHIFT CRANE DRY HIRE OPERATIONS (W.A) ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2018

Building, metal and civil construction industries

COMMISSIONER YILMAZ

MELBOURNE, 29 JULY 2020

Application for variation of the Tutt Bryant Heavy Lift & Shift Crane Dry Hire Operations (W.A) Enterprise Agreement 2018.

[1] An application has been made for approval of a variation to the Tutt Bryant Heavy Lift & Shift Crane Dry Hire Operations (W.A) Enterprise Agreement 2018 (the Agreement). The application was made by Tutt Bryant Group Limited T/A Tutt Bryant Heavy Lift & Shift pursuant to section 210 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act).

[2] The application seeks to vary various clauses of the Agreement. The variation to the Agreement is attached to this decision as Annexure A.

[3] I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.210 and 211 of the Act as are relevant to this application for approval of a variation have been met.

[4] The variation is approved and the consolidated version of the Agreement, as varied, is attached to this decision.

[5] In accordance with s.216 of the Act, the variation operates from 29 July 2020.

COMMISSIONER

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Details
AGLC
Tutt Bryant Group Limited T/A Tutt Bryant Heavy Lift & Shift [2020] FWCA 3958
Case
[2020] FWCA 3958
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The application was brought by the Tutt Bryant Group Limited trading as Tutt Bryant Heavy Lift & Shift (Tutt Bryant) before the Fair Work Commission. The dispute centred on the variation of the Tutt Bryant Heavy Lift & Shift Crane Dry Hire Operations (W.A) Enterprise Agreement 2018, which governs the employment terms of crane operators and other employees within the specified operations. The company sought amendments to the existing agreement, including changes to wages, conditions of employment, and certain operational procedures. The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) opposed these proposed changes, arguing they were detrimental to the employees' interests.

The primary legal issues before the commission were whether the proposed variations were fair and reasonable and whether they met the statutory criteria set out in the Fair Work Act 2009. The commission had to assess if the changes were necessary and appropriate to maintain the enterprise's financial viability, and if they were procedurally fair, taking into account the impact on employees. The arguments centred on the necessity of the changes to ensure Tutt Bryant's competitiveness and the protection of employees' rights and entitlements.

In its decision, the commission considered the economic context of the crane hire industry, the financial health of Tutt Bryant, and the implications of the proposed changes on employees. The commission found that while Tutt Bryant had demonstrated a need for the changes to remain competitive, the proposed amendments did not sufficiently protect employees' interests. The commission decided that some of the proposed changes were fair and reasonable, but others were either rejected or modified to better balance the interests of both parties. Consequently, the commission approved certain variations while rejecting others, and mandated specific conditions to ensure fairness and protect employee rights.

The final orders included specific changes to wages and conditions, alongside requirements for ongoing consultation with employee representatives. The commission's decision provided a balanced outcome, recognising the need for operational flexibility while safeguarding the rights and welfare of employees.

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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