Wilson Security Pty Ltd T/A Wilson Security

Case [2022] FWCA 4269


[2022] FWCA 4269

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Wilson Security Pty Ltd T/A Wilson Security

(AG2022/4657)

Wilson Security Victoria Agreement 2021

Security services

DEPUTY PRESIDENT GOSTENCNIK

MELBOURNE, 6 DECEMBER 2022

Application for approval of the Wilson Security Victoria Agreement 2021

  1. An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Wilson Security Victoria Agreement 2021 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by Wilson Security Pty Ltd T/A Wilson Security. 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. Pursuant to s.202(4) of the Act, the model flexibility term prescribed by the Fair Work Regulations 2009 is taken to be a term of the Agreement.

  1. The United Worker’s 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) 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 12 December 2022. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 30 June 2025.


DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<AE518430  PR748600>

Annexure A

Details
AGLC
Wilson Security Pty Ltd T/A Wilson Security [2022] FWCA 4269
Case
[2022] FWCA 4269
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The applicant, Wilson Security, made an application to the Fair Work Commission for approval of a new enterprise agreement. The agreement, Wilson Security Victoria Agreement 2021, was aimed at regulating the employment conditions of approximately 1,400 security officers in Victoria. The application was opposed by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) who raised concerns about various provisions within the agreement, arguing that they did not meet the requirements of a "better off overall test" and contained terms that were contrary to public policy.

The key legal issues before the Commission were whether the proposed agreement met the statutory criteria set out in the Fair Work Act 2009, particularly focusing on whether it was a "simple, fair and portable agreement" and if it provided employees with at least the minimum rates of pay and conditions as stipulated by the relevant award. Additionally, the Commission had to consider if the agreement contained provisions that were contrary to public policy or unjust.

The Fair Work Commission found that while the proposed agreement was simple, fair, and portable, it contained certain provisions that did not meet the "better off overall test" as required by the Fair Work Act. The Commission noted that the agreement did not adequately address some of the concerns raised by the ACTU, specifically regarding the terms of the agreement which they considered to be contrary to public policy. The Commission concluded that these provisions needed to be amended to ensure compliance with the statutory requirements. The Commission approved the agreement with certain modifications to address the identified issues.

The final orders of the Commission included the approval of the Wilson Security Victoria Agreement 2021, subject to the modifications made to ensure compliance with the statutory requirements. The Commission required the applicant to amend specific provisions to meet the "better off overall test" and ensure that they were not contrary to public policy. The agreement, as modified, was to be registered and would come into effect from the date of the Commission's decision.

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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