Application for approval of the Arnold Enterprise Agreement 2025-2028

[1] This decision deals with an application made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Arnold Enterprise Agreement 2025-2028 (the Agreement). The Application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act) by Arnold Electrical & Data Installations Pty Ltd T/A Arnold Electrical Data Instrumentation (the Applicant). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

[2] The Notice of Employee Representational Rights (NERR) distributed to employees appears to have been the pre-6 June 2023 version and it was also provided on company letterhead rather than in the prescribed form. However, I am satisfied that the Agreement would have been genuinely agreed to but for the minor procedural departure from the prescribed form requirements of the NERR under s.174(1A) of the Act and that the employees covered by the Agreement were not likely to have been disadvantaged by this. Accordingly, I exercise the discretion conferred by s.188(5) of the Act.[1]

[3] The Applicant has provided written undertakings. 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.

[4] The views of each person who the Fair Work Commission knows is a bargaining representative for the Agreement have been sought in relation to the Undertakings.

[5] Pursuant to s.190(3) of the Act, I accept the undertakings.

[6] Subject to the undertakings referred to above, having regard to the Statement of Principles,[2] on the basis of the material contained in the application and accompanying declarations, I am satisfied that each requirement of ss186, 187 and 188 as are relevant to this application for approval have been met. The undertakings are taken to be a term of the Agreement.

[7] Noting the undertakings provided, clause 6.2 of the Agreement and on the basis of the materials before the Commission, I am satisfied that the more beneficial entitlements of the NES in the Act will prevail where there is an inconsistency between the Agreement and the NES.

[8] The Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (ETU) has lodged a Form F18 statutory declaration giving notice under s.183 of the Act that it wants the Agreement to cover it. In accordance with s.201(2) of the Act, I note the Agreement covers the ETU.

[9] The Agreement is approved and will operate in accordance with s.54 of the Act. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 1 November 2028.

[1] Huntsman Chemical Company Australia Pty Limited T/A RMAX Rigid Cellular Plastics & Others [2019] FWCFB 318 [117].

[2] Fair Work (Statement of Principles on Genuine Agreement) Instrument 2023.

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer