Labour Court recognises 1999 agreement in Chubb Fire union dispute

In 2005, the Labour Court concluded that the 1999 agreement between Chubb Fire and the Technical, Engineering And Electrical Union was a valid working agreement. The dispute concerned whether a 1982 agreement remained in force or had been replaced by the 1999 agreement. The union argued that the 1999 agreement had not been formally negotiated with it. The company said the agreement was signed by an acting shop steward, approved by staff ballot and had operated without difficulty. The Court relied on the parties' four years of practice under the 1999 agreement.