United Workers’ Union

Case [2022] FWC 1725


[2022] FWC 1725

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.160—Variation of modern award

United Workers’ Union

(AM2022/14)

Various industries

COMMISSIONER O’NEILL

MELBOURNE, 7 JULY 2022

Section 160 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) – applications to vary superannuation default fund – merger of Statewide Superannuation Trust and Hostplus

  1. On 21 April 2022, the United Workers’ Union (UWU) applied to the Commission to vary the specification of “Statewide Superannuation Trust” as a named fund for the purpose of employee superannuation contributions to that of “Hostplus” in eight awards.

  1. The UWU lodged eight separate variation applications for each award variation sought.

  1. The applications seek to vary the following award clauses:

·   Children’s Services Award 2010 – by deleting “Statewide Superannuation Trust” in clause 20.4(e) and inserting “Hostplus”;

·   Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing Award 2020 – by deleting “Statewide Superannuation Trust” in clause 22.4(f) and inserting “Hostplus”;

·   Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020 – by deleting “Statewide Superannuation Trust” in clause 31.4(j) and inserting “Hostplus”;

·   Poultry Processing Award 2020 – by deleting “Statewide Superannuation Trust” in clause 18.4(e) and inserting “Hostplus”;

·   Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 – by deleting “Statewide Superannuation Trust” in clause 23.4(k) and inserting “Hostplus”;

·   Seafood Processing Award 2020 – by deleting “Statewide Superannuation Trust” in clause 18.4(d) and inserting “Hostplus”;

·   Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020 – by deleting “Statewide Superannuation Trust” in clause 21.4(f) and inserting “Hostplus”; and

·   Viterra Bulk Handling and Storage of Grains, Pulses and Minerals Award 2015 – by deleting “Statewide Superannuation Trust” in clause 18.3(h) and inserting “Hostplus”;

  1. As part of its application, the UWU informed the Commission that Statewide Superannuation Trust and Hostplus are scheduled to merge on 29 April 2022. It appears that the merger was formalised as scheduled on 29 April 2022.

  1. A Statement and draft determinations were published on the Commission’s website on 21 June 2022. The Statement advised that my provisional view was to vary the awards as proposed by the UWU and set out in the draft determinations, and that if no submissions opposing the variations were received, final determinations would be issued.

  1. Submissions opposing the provisional view were required to be filed by 30 June 2022. No submissions were received.

  1. Pursuant to s.160 of the Act, the awards will be varied as proposed by the UWU.

  1. The determinations will be issued separately.

COMMISSIONER

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Details
AGLC
United Workers’ Union [2022] FWC 1725
Case
[2022] FWC 1725
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The United Workers' Union (UWU) applied to the Fair Work Commission under section 160 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) to modify the specification of the superannuation fund for employees from "Statewide Superannuation Trust" to "Hostplus" across eight different awards. The UWU submitted eight separate applications, each targeting a specific award, to replace the named superannuation fund due to the impending merger of Statewide Superannuation Trust with Hostplus. The awards in question span various industries, including children's services, food manufacturing, and vehicle repair services.

The legal issues before the Commission centred on whether the UWU had satisfied the statutory requirements under section 160 of the Fair Work Act to justify variations to the superannuation fund specification in the relevant awards. The Commission needed to determine if the proposed changes were in line with the legislative intent and if the merger of the superannuation funds warranted such changes. Additionally, the Commission had to consider the procedural requirements, including whether the UWU provided sufficient notice and whether there were any objections to the proposed changes.

The Commission found that the UWU had adequately demonstrated the need for the variations due to the merger of Statewide Superannuation Trust and Hostplus. No objections were received by the deadline, thereby fulfilling the procedural requirements of the application process. The Commission concluded that the proposed variations were consistent with the legislative intent and procedural requirements, and thus determined to vary the awards as proposed by the UWU.

The final orders will be issued separately, varying the awards as proposed by the UWU. The specific changes include replacing "Statewide Superannuation Trust" with "Hostplus" in the relevant clauses of each award. The merger of the superannuation funds was completed as scheduled, and the changes will take effect in accordance with the determinations.

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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