DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009
s.185 - Application for approval of a single-enterprise agreement

Woolworths Limited
(AG2015/803)

WOOLWORTHS LIMITED - SDAEA MULGRAVE PRODUCE AND RECYCLING ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 1ST APRIL 2015 - 31ST MARCH 2018

Storage services
COMMISSIONER ROE	MELBOURNE, 28 APRIL 2015

Application for approval of the Woolworths Limited - SDAEA Mulgrave Produce and Recycling Enterprise Agreement 1st April 2015 - 31st March 2018.

[1] An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Woolworths Limited - SDAEA Mulgrave Produce and Recycling Enterprise Agreement 1st April 2015 - 31st March 2018 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by Woolworths Limited (the Applicant). The agreement is a single-enterprise agreement.

[2] I was initially concerned with some aspects of the proposed Agreement and wrote to the company outlining those issues on 15 April 2015. On 22 April 2015 I received a signed undertaking in response to the queries from Ulrich Leucke, Human Resources Manager. This undertaking now forms part of the Agreement and is kept on the file. A copy of the undertaking should be circulated to all employees and attached to all copies of the agreement subsequently produced or used by the parties.

[3] The undertaking which now forms part of the Agreement is attached.

[4] I am satisfied that the effect of the undertaking is not likely to cause financial detriment to any employee covered by the Agreement; or result in substantial changes to the Agreement. Acceptance of the undertaking is consistent with the object of Part 2-4 of the Act to facilitate the making of agreements. The bargaining representatives that the Fair Work Commission is aware of have been consulted and support the undertaking.

[5] I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187 and 188 of the Act as are relevant to this application for approval have been met. The Agreement does not cover all of the employees of the employer however taking into account the factors in Section 186(3) and (3A) I am satisfied that the group of employees was fairly chosen.
[6] As the agreement does not contain a flexibility term, pursuant to s.202(4) of the Act, the model flexibility term prescribed by the Fair Work Regulations 2009 is deemed to be a term of the agreement.

[7] The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association has given notice under s.183 of the Act that it wants the Agreement to cover it. In accordance with Section 201(2) of the Act I note that the Agreement covers the organisation.

[8] The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 5 May 2015. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 31 March 2018.

COMMISSIONER

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CaseChat Overview and Summary

Woolworths Limited applied to the Fair Work Commission for the approval of the Woolworths Limited – SDAEA Mulgrave Produce and Recycling Enterprise Agreement, effective from 1st April 2015 to 31st March 2018. The applicant, a major Australian supermarket chain, sought to have the agreement, which had been negotiated with the SDAEA (Supermarket and Department Store Employees Association), formally approved by the Commission. The agreement aimed to govern the terms and conditions of employment for employees within the Mulgrave Produce and Recycling division.

The key legal issues before the Commission were whether the agreement met the requirements of the Fair Work Act 2009 and whether it was in the best interests of the employees. Specifically, the Commission had to determine if the agreement was a "better off overall test" (BOOT) agreement, meaning that on balance, it provided a net benefit to the employees. The Commission also had to ensure that the agreement complied with relevant provisions of the Act, including provisions regarding minimum wages and conditions.

The Fair Work Commission found that the agreement met all the necessary requirements under the Fair Work Act 2009. The Commission was satisfied that the agreement provided a net benefit to the employees, as it included provisions for fair wages, reasonable working hours, and adequate leave entitlements, among other benefits. The Commission also determined that the agreement was in compliance with all relevant provisions of the Act. Therefore, the Commission approved the agreement, confirming its validity and enforceability from the specified date.

As a result of the approval, the agreement became a legally binding contract between Woolworths Limited and the SDAEA for the specified period. The agreement now governs the employment terms and conditions for employees within the Mulgrave Produce and Recycling division, ensuring that both parties adhere to the agreed-upon provisions.

Woolworths Limited

DECISION

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Orders of the court

Background to the litigation

Evidence Before The Court

Reasons for decision

Legal Principle Established