Bis Industries Limited v Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union [2021] FCA 1374

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Bis Industries Limited v Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union [2021] FCA 1374 File number: NSD 354 of 2020

Judgment of: WHITE J

Date of judgment: 8 November 2021

Catchwords: INDUSTRIAL LAW – Applicant sought declarations that the Black Coal Industry Mining Award 2010 (the Black Coal Award) did not cover its Field Services Representatives (FSRs) – only the CFMMEU and three FSRs (the Specific Employees) named as respondents – application considered in relation to the Specific Employees – whether the Specific Employees within the definition of "coal mining employees" in the Black Coal Award – consideration of cl 4.8 of the Black Coal Award – whether the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2010 contains the "most appropriate" classification for the Specific Employees' work – Applicant succeeds in part.

Legislation: Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) ss 48, 143 Workers' Compensation Act 1987 (NSW) of s 7A(4) Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Regulation 2014 (NSW) regs 135-137

Cases cited: ALDI Foods Pty Limited v Shop, Distributive & Allied Employees Association [2017] HCA 53; (2017) 262 CLR 593 Allgood v Kal Tire (Australia) Pty Ltd [2020] FWCFB 5816 Australian Colliery Staff Association and Queensland Coal Owners Association – No. 20 of 1980, 22 February 1982 Australian Workers' Union v Cleanevent Australia Pty Ltd [2015] FCA 1477 Australian Workers' Union v Coffey Information Pty Ltd [2013] FWCFB 2894; (2013) 232 IR 266 Canadian Pacific Tobacco Co Ltd v Stapleton [1952] HCA 32; (1952) 86 CLR 1 Carpenter v Corona Manufacturing Pty Ltd (2002) 122 IR 387 Central West Group Apprentices Ltd v Coal Mines Insurance Ltd [2008] NSWCA 348 Choppair Helicopters Pty Ltd v Bobridge [2018] FCA 325 Collector of Customs v Pozzolanic Enterprises Pty Ltd (1993) 43 FCR 280 Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union v Spotless Facility Services Pty Ltd [2020] FWCFB 1235 Dyno Nobel Asia Pacific Limited v Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union [2005] AIRC 622 GJ Coles & Co Ltd v Retail Trade Industrial Tribunal (1986) 7 NSWLR 503 at 524 Groves v Kal Tire [2020] FWC 3689 Herscu v The Queen [1991] HCA 40; (1991) 173 CLR 276 Kuypers v Ashton Coal Operations Pty Ltd [2014] NSWSC 1276 R v Central Reference Board; Ex parte Thiess (Repairs) Pty Ltd [1948] HCA 9; (1948) 77 CLR 123 R v Coldham; Ex parte the Australian Workers' Union [1983] HCA 35; (1983) 153 CLR 415 R v Drake-Brockman; Ex parte National Oil Pty Ltd [1943] HCA 35; (1943) 68 CLR 51 R v Hibble; Ex parte Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited [1921] HCA 15; (1921) 29 CLR 290 R v Hickman; Ex parte Fox and Clinton [1945] HCA 53; (1945) 70 CLR 598 R v Moore, Ex parte Australian Workers' Union (1976) 51 ALJR 266 R v Moore; Ex parte Federation of Miscellaneous Workers' Union of Australia [1978] HCA 51; (1978) 140 CLR 470 Re Award Modernisation [2008] AIRCFB 717; (2008) 177 IR 8 Re Award Modernisation [2008] ARICFB 1000; (2008) 177 IR 364 Re CQ Industries Pty Ltd [2017] FWC 5667 Re Transfield Services (Australia) Pty Ltd [2014] FWC 5368 Spotless Facility Services Pty Ltd [2019] FWC 5890 Transport Workers' Union of Australia v Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd [2014] FCAFC 148; (2014) 245 IR 449 Truck Moves Australia Pty Ltd v Simmonds [2015] FCA 1071