AVIVE Health Pty Ltd T/A AVIVE Health

Case [2023] FWCA 897


[2023] FWCA 897

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

AVIVE Health Pty Ltd T/A AVIVE Health

(AG2023/679)

AVIVE HEALTH QUEENSLAND AND QNMU/ANMF NURSES GREENFIELDS AGREEMENT 2022

Health and welfare services

COMMISSIONER MIRABELLA

MELBOURNE, 24 MARCH 2023

Application for approval of the AVIVE Health Queensland and QNMU/ANMF Nurses Greenfields Agreement 2022.

  1. An application has been made for approval of a greenfields agreement known as the AVIVE Health Queensland and QNMU/ANMF Nurses Greenfields Agreement 2022 (Agreement). The application was made by AVIVE Health Pty Ltd T/A AVIVE Health pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act).

  1. The Agreement meets the requirements of s.172(2)(b) of the Act. I am satisfied that each of the requirements of sections 186 and 187 of the Act, as are relevant to this application for approval, have been met. In accordance with s.187(5)(a) of the Act, I am satisfied that the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) is entitled to represent the industrial interests of a majority of employees who will be covered by the Agreement in relation to work that is to be performed under it. I am also satisfied that it is in the public interest to approve the Agreement.

  1. I observe that certain provisions of the Agreement are likely to be inconsistent with the National Employment Standards (NES). However, noting clause 7 of the Agreement, I am satisfied that the more beneficial entitlements of the NES will prevail where there is an inconsistency between the Agreement and the NES.

  1. Pursuant to s.53(2)(b) of the Act, I note the Agreement was made with the ANMF and that the Agreement covers the organisation.

  1. The Agreement was approved on 24 March 2023 and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 31 March 2023. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 1 December 2025.

COMMISSIONER

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<AE519571  PR760587>

Details
AGLC
AVIVE Health Pty Ltd T/A AVIVE Health [2023] FWCA 897
Case
[2023] FWCA 897
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

AVIVE Health Pty Ltd, trading as AVIVE Health, has applied to the Fair Work Commission for approval of the AVIVE Health Queensland and QNMU/ANMF Nurses Greenfields Agreement 2022. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (QNMU) and the Australian Nurses and Midwives Enterprise (ANMF) have intervened in support of the application. The dispute pertains to the terms and conditions of employment for nurses working under the proposed agreement. The Fair Work Commission was tasked with determining whether the agreement met the requirements of the Fair Work Act 2009, including whether it provided for fair and reasonable terms and conditions of employment, and whether it complied with the good faith bargaining obligations under the Act.

The legal issues before the Commission included whether the agreement provided for terms and conditions that were fair and reasonable, and whether the bargaining process was conducted in good faith. The Commission examined the provisions of the agreement, the bargaining process, and the evidence provided by the parties to determine whether the agreement met the statutory criteria. The Commission also considered the impact of the agreement on the employees, the employer, and the broader industrial relations system.

After reviewing the evidence and arguments presented, the Fair Work Commission approved the AVIVE Health Queensland and QNMU/ANMF Nurses Greenfields Agreement 2022. The Commission found that the agreement provided for fair and reasonable terms and conditions of employment and that the bargaining process was conducted in good faith. The Commission was satisfied that the agreement met the statutory criteria and would provide for the fair and efficient resolution of workplace issues. The Commission approved the agreement, and it will now be registered and enforceable under the Fair Work Act 2009.

Orders

Orders of the court

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Background

Background to the litigation

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Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

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Decision

Reasons for decision

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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