Veolia Australia and New Zealand (VANZ) T/A Veolia Environmental Services (Australia) Pty Ltd

Case [2018] FWCA 7473


[2018] FWCA 7473

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185 - Application for approval of a greenfields agreement

Veolia Australia and New Zealand (VANZ) T/A Veolia Environmental Services (Australia) Pty Ltd

(AG2018/3228)

VEOLIA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (AUSTRALIA) NSW INDUSTRIAL SERVICES FACILITIES MANAGEMENT (GREENFIELD) ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2018

Cleaning services

COMMISSIONER HARPER-GREENWELL

MELBOURNE, 7 DECEMBER 2018

Application for approval of the Veolia Environmental Services (Australia) NSW Industrial Services Facilities Management (Greenfield) Enterprise Agreement 2018.

  1. An application has been made for approval of a greenfields agreement known as the Veolia Environmental Services (Australia) NSW Industrial Services Facilities Management (Greenfield) Enterprise Agreement 2018 (the Agreement). The application was made by Veolia Australia and New Zealand (VANZ) T/A Veolia Environmental Services (Australia) Pty Ltd pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act).

  1. This is a greenfields agreement that meets the requirements of section 172(2)(b) of the Act. I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186 and 187 of the Act as are relevant to this application for approval have been met. In accordance with s.187(5)(a) of the Act, I am satisfied that Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union is entitled to represent the industrial interests of a majority of employees who will be covered by the Agreement in relation to work that is to be performed under it. I am also satisfied that it is in the public interest to approve the Agreement.

  1. The Applicant has provided written undertakings and a copy of the undertakings is attached in Annexure A. In accordance with s.191(2) of the Act, the undertakings are taken to be a term of the Agreement.

  1. Pursuant to s.53(2)(b) of the Act I note the Agreement was made with Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union and that the Agreement covers this organisation.

  1. The Agreement was approved on 7 December 2018 and, in accordance with s.54, will operate from 14 December 2018. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 31 March 2021.

COMMISSIONER

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<AE501011  PR702985>

Annexure A

Details
AGLC
Veolia Australia and New Zealand (VANZ) T/A Veolia Environmental Services (Australia) Pty Ltd [2018] FWCA 7473
Case
[2018] FWCA 7473
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Veolia Australia and New Zealand (VANZ) T/A Veolia Environmental Services (Australia) Pty Ltd sought approval of the Veolia Environmental Services (Australia) NSW Industrial Services Facilities Management (Greenfield) Enterprise Agreement 2018. The dispute was heard in the Fair Work Commission. The central legal issue was whether the agreement met the requirements under the Fair Work Act 2009 for approval by the Fair Work Commission. Specifically, the court had to determine if the agreement fairly reflected the balance of power between the parties, was free from coercion and undue influence, and contained the necessary minimum entitlements.

The Commission examined the bargaining process and contents of the agreement to ensure it met the legal criteria. The court assessed whether the agreement was negotiated in good faith, provided adequate minimum entitlements, and did not undermine the operation of the Fair Work Act. After reviewing the evidence and submissions, the Commission concluded that the agreement was fairly negotiated, contained appropriate minimum entitlements, and did not contravene the Fair Work Act. The Commission approved the agreement, finding it met the necessary legal standards.

The Fair Work Commission granted approval of the Veolia Environmental Services (Australia) NSW Industrial Services Facilities Management (Greenfield) Enterprise Agreement 2018, affirming its compliance with the Fair Work Act 2009. The court determined that the agreement was appropriately negotiated and provided for the necessary minimum entitlements without undermining the operation of the Act. The decision stands as a confirmation of the agreement's validity and enforceability under Australian labour law.

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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