Australian Workers Union v BHP Iron-Ore Pty Ltd [2001] FCA 3

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Australian Workers' Union v BHP Iron-Ore Pty Ltd [2001] FCA 3 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – Commonwealth powers – corporations power – validity of ss 298K, 298L & 298M of Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth) INDUSTRIAL LAW – industrial relations – freedom of association – employer offering workplace agreements – whether injury of employees or alteration of their positions to their prejudice – whether offer of workplace agreements made for prohibited reasons – whether employer by threats or promises or otherwise inducing employees to stop being members of industrial association – relevance of employer's intent to inducement considered – whether employer's obligation under award to refrain from entering into contracts inconsistent with award expressly incorporated in employees' contracts of employment CONTRACTS – terms – whether express incorporation of terms of industrial award into contract of employment – whether obligation not to enter into contracts inconsistent with award a term or condition of employment – whether breach of contract for employer to enter into workplace agreements inconsistent with award WORDS AND PHRASES – "induce", "member of an industrial association" Workplace Relations Act 1996 ss 3, 298A, 298C, 298G, 298K, 298L, 298M, 298U, 298V Workplace Relations and Other Legislation Amendment Act 1996 Industrial Relations Reform Act 1993 Workplace Agreements Act 1993 (WA) Industrial Relations Act 1979 (WA)

Newcrest Mining (WA) Ltd v The Commonwealth (1997) 190 CLR 513 cited Re Dingjan; ex parte Wagner (1995) 183 CLR 323 considered, applied The Commonwealth v Tasmania (1983) 158 CLR 1 referred Quickenden v O'Connor (1999) 91 FCR 597 referred Rowe v Transport Workers' Union (1998) 90 FCR 95 referred Victoria v The Commonwealth (1996) 187 CLR 416 discussed, followed Re Pacific Coal Pty Ltd; ex parte Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union [2000] HCA 34 referred R v Australian Industrial Court; ex parte CLM Holdings Pty Ltd (1977) 136 CLR 235 referred National Wage Case (1987) 17 IR 65 cited National Wage Case (1988) 25 IR 170 cited National Wage Case (1991) 39 IR 127 cited Safety Net Review – Wages (1997) 71 IR 1 cited Heidt v Chrysler Australia Ltd (1976) 26 FLR 257 referred Bowling v General Motors-Holden's Pty Ltd (1980) 50 FLR 79 referred David's Distribution Pty Ltd v National Union of Workers (1999) 165 ALR 550 considered Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union v BHP Steel (AIS) Pty Ltd [2000] FCA 1008 cited Burnie Port Corporation Pty Ltd v Maritime Union of Australia [2000] FCA 1768 cited Patrick Stevedores Operations No 2 Pty Ltd v Maritime Union of Australia (1998) 195 CLR 1 cited, distinguished BHP Iron Ore Pty Ltd v Australian Workers' Union (2000) 171 ALR 680 explained, followed CPSU, Community and Public Sector Union v Telstra Corporation Limited [2000] FCA 844 referred Finance Sector Union v Commonwealth Bank of Australia [2000] FCA 1372 cited Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission v Mount Isa Mines Ltd (1993) 118 ALR 80 referred IW v City of Perth (1997) 191 CLR 1 referred Australian Municipal, Administrative, Clerical & Services Union v Greater Dandenong City Council [2000] FCA 1231 referred General Motors Holden Pty Ltd v Bowling (1976) 12 ALR 605 distinguished Moore v Doyle (1969) 15 FLR 59 referred Byrne v Australian Airlines Ltd (1995) 185 CLR 410 cited Moama Bowling Club Ltd v Armstrong (No 1) (1995) 64 IR 238 distinguished Cliffe v Hoechst Australia Ltd (unreported, IRCt, 21 October 1996, case 514/96) cited Australian Airline Flight Engineers Association v Ansett Australia Ltd [2000] FCA 1299 referred AUSTRALIAN WORKERS' UNION & ORS v BHP IRON-ORE PTY LTD V 24/00 KENNY J MELBOURNE 10 JANUARY 2001