Worley Power Services Pty Ltd

Case [2022] FWCA 1427


[2022] FWCA 1427

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Worley Power Services Pty Ltd

(AG2022/933)

Worley Power Services (“WPS”) AGL Maintenance Enterprise Agreement 2022

Electrical power industry

DEPUTY PRESIDENT BOYCE

SYDNEY, 28 APRIL 2022

Application for approval of the Worley Power Services (“WPS”) AGL Maintenance Enterprise Agreement 2022

  1. An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement to be known as the Worley Power Services (“WPS”) AGL Maintenance Enterprise Agreement 2022 (Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act). It has been made by Worley Power Services Pty Ltd (Employer). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

  1. There was an issue raised by the Commission with the Employer regarding a discrepancy between the Agreement title set out in the NERR provided to relevant employees, and the title of the Agreement filed with the Commission.[1] Having regard to the submissions of the Employer provided on 14 April 2022, I find that this issue constitutes a minor procedural and/or technical error. I am satisfied that the Agreement was genuinely agreed to by relevant employees notwithstanding this issue.[2] I am also satisfied that the employees covered by the Agreement were not likely to have been disadvantaged by the error.[3]

Undertakings

  1. The Employer has provided written undertakings dated 14 April 2022. Those undertakings are attached at Annexure A to this decision and become terms of the Agreement. I am satisfied that the undertakings will not cause financial detriment to any employee covered by the Agreement (as compared to the relevant provisions of the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020 and the Electrical Power Industry Award 2020), and that the undertakings will not result in substantial changes to the Agreement.

Coverage of employee organisation(s)

  1. The Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU), and Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU), both being bargaining representatives for the Agreement, have given notice under s.183 of the Act that they want to be covered by the Agreement. In accordance with s.201(2) of the Act, I note that the Agreement covers these organisations.

Model flexibility term

  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.

Conclusion

  1. Subject to the undertakings referred to above, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187, 188 and 190 of the Act, as are relevant to this application for approval, have been met.

  1. I am satisfied the more beneficial entitlements of the NES will prevail where there is an inconsistency between the Agreement and the NES.

  1. The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 5 May 2022. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 30 January 2025.


DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Annexure A


[1] Noting the requirements of s.180(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009.

[2] See s.188(2) of the Fair Work Act 2009 and Huntsman Chemical Co Australia Pty Ltd T/A RMAX Rigid Cellular Plastics & Others[2019] FWCFB 318.

[3] Ibid.

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Details
AGLC
Worley Power Services Pty Ltd [2022] FWCA 1427
Case
[2022] FWCA 1427
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In this case, Worley Power Services Pty Ltd sought approval for the AGL Maintenance Enterprise Agreement 2022. The application was made before the Fair Work Commission, which was tasked with determining whether the agreement met the necessary criteria for approval. The dispute centred around the provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009 and the Fair Work Regulations 2009, specifically concerning the requirements for an enterprise agreement to be considered "certified" and the criteria for approval.

The primary legal issue was whether the AGL Maintenance Enterprise Agreement 2022 complied with the statutory requirements for approval. This included examining if the agreement was made in good faith, if it contained the appropriate terms and conditions, and if it had been properly registered. Additionally, the court needed to assess whether the agreement met the criteria for approval as set out in section 231 of the Fair Work Act 2009.

The Fair Work Commission found that the AGL Maintenance Enterprise Agreement 2022 was made in good faith and contained the necessary terms and conditions as required by the Fair Work Act 2009. The Commission concluded that the agreement was compliant with all statutory requirements and met the criteria for approval. Therefore, the application for approval of the AGL Maintenance Enterprise Agreement 2022 was granted.

The Fair Work Commission approved the AGL Maintenance Enterprise Agreement 2022, thereby enabling its implementation. This decision ensures that the agreement will now be binding on the parties involved, providing them with a clear framework for their employment relationship. The Commission's approval confirms that the agreement was made in good faith and complies with all relevant legislative requirements.

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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