Australian Rail, Tram and Bus Industry Union v KDR Victoria Pty Ltd t/a Yarra Trams [2021] FCA 1377

Federal Court of Australia

Australian Rail, Tram and Bus Industry Union v KDR Victoria Pty Ltd t/a Yarra Trams [2021] FCA 1377 File number(s): VID 360 of 2021

Judgment of: WHEELAHAN J

Date of judgment: 22 November 2021

Catchwords: INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS – construction of Yarra Trams Enterprise Agreement 2019 – Operations – whether the respondent employer proposes to contravene the Agreement with respect to meal break entitlements for tram drivers, thereby contravening s 50 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) – where similar or same terms were in force in previous enterprise agreements – whether and how a common understanding between the parties as to the operation of the Agreement affects construction of the Agreement – on its proper construction, the proposed action would not contravene the Agreement.

Legislation: Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) ss 50, 54(1)(a), 186 Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 (Cth) Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth)

Cases cited: ACE Insurance Ltd v Trifunovski [2011] FCA 1204; 200 FCR 532 Agricultural and Rural Finance Pty Ltd v Gardiner [2008] HCA 57; 238 CLR 570 Amcor Ltd v Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union [2005] HCA 10; 222 CLR 241 Australian Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union v Prestige Property Services Pty Ltd [2006] FCA 11; 149 FCR 209 Carr v Western Australia [2007] HCA 47; 232 CLR 138 City of Wanneroo v Holmes (1989) 30 IR 362 at 378 Fair Work Ombudsman v Foot and Thai Massage Pty Ltd (in liq) (No 4) [2021] FCA 1242 Franklins Pty Ltd v Metcash Trading Ltd [2009] NSWCA 407; 76 NSWLR 603 Health Services Union v Ballarat Health Services [2011] FCA 1256 Josephson v Walker (1914) 18 CLR 691 King v Melbourne Vicentre Swimming Club Inc [2020] FCA 1173 King v Melbourne Vicentre Swimming Club Inc [2021] FCAFC 123; 308 IR 171 Merchant Service Guild of Australia v Sydney Steam Collier Owners and Coal Stevedores Association (1958) 1 FLR 248 Metropolitan Health Service Board v Australian Nursing Federation [2000] FCA 784; 99 FCR 95 Pagnan SpA v Tradax Ocean Transportation SA [1987] 3 All ER 565 Printing & Kindred Industries Union v Davies Bros Ltd (1986) 18 IR 444 Saraswati v The Queen (1991) 172 CLR 1 Seaman's Union of Australia v Adelaide Steamship Co Ltd (1976) 46 FLR 444 Sheehan v Thiess Pty Ltd [2019] FCA 1762 Shop Distributive and Allied Employees' Association v Woolworths Limited [2006] FCA 616; 151 FCR 513 Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association v Target Australia Pty Ltd [2021] FCA 1038 Short v F W Hercus Pty Ltd [1993] FCA 72; 40 FCR 511 Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia v Givoni Pty Ltd [2002] FCA 1406; 121 IR 250 Theiss Pty Ltd v Sheehan [2020] FCAFC 198 Transport Workers Union v Linfox [2014] FCA 829; 318 ALR 54 Watcham v Attorney-General of the East Africa Protectorate [1919] AC 533 WorkPac v Skene [2018] FCAFC 131; 264 FCR 536