Application for approval of the Holcim Australia Pty Limited Salt Ash Enterprise Agreement 2025

[1] Holcim (Australia) Pty Ltd (the Employer) has made an application for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Holcim Australia Pty Limited Salt Ash Enterprise Agreement 2025 (the Agreement) pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

Transitional arrangements under the Secure Jobs, Better Pay amendment

[2] The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 (Cth) (Amending Act) made a number of changes to enterprise agreement approval processes in Part 2-4 of the Act, that commenced operation on 6 June 2023. The notification time for the Agreement under s.173(2) was 17 December 2024 and the Agreement was made on 11 April 2025. Accordingly, both the genuine agreement and the better off overall test requirements are those applying on and from 6 June 2023.

[3] The signature page of the Agreement did not comply in all respects with Regulation 2.06A of the Fair Work Regulations 2009 (Cth). An amended signature page was subsequently filed. I consider it appropriate in the circumstances to allow an amendment of a document relating to a matter before the FWC and do so pursuant to s.586(a) of the Act.

National Employment Standards (NES) Precedence Term

[4] Clause 12 of the Agreement contains the redundancy provisions. Clause 12.9(e) provides that the balance of the clauses of 12.9 do not apply to employees in the Newcastle region, for whom reasonable alternative employment is obtained. When queried on the fact this clause does not appear to provide that this is subject to the approval of the FWC, as required by s.120 of the Act, the Employer provided undertakings which failed to satisfy me that the requirements of the Act will apply.

[5] To the extent that this clause may be inconsistent with the National Employment Standards (NES), I note that in accordance with the NES precedence term in Clause 5 of the Agreement, this clause will be read and interpreted in conjunction with the NES.

[6] The employer 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.

[7] Subject to the undertakings referred to above, and having had regard to the Statement of Principles on Genuine Agreement, 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.

[8] The Australian Workers Union (AWU) being a bargaining representative for the Agreement, has given notice under s.183 of the Act that it wants the Agreement to cover it.

[9] In accordance with s.201(2), I note that the Agreement covers the AWU.

[10] The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 21 May 2025. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 31 March 2028.

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