| [2023] FWCA 3089 |
| FAIR WORK COMMISSION |
| DECISION |
Fair Work Act 2009
s.185 - Application for approval of a single-enterprise agreement
Gainsite Pty Ltd
(AG2023/3161)
GAINSITE PTY. LTD. ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2023
| Plumbing industry | |
| DEPUTY PRESIDENT WRIGHT | SYDNEY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2023 |
Application for approval of the Gainsite Pty. Ltd. Enterprise Agreement 2023
Introduction
Gainsite Pty Ltd (the Employer) has made an application for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Gainsite Pty. Ltd. Enterprise Agreement 2023 (the Agreement) pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.
Transitional arrangements under the Secure Jobs, Better Pay amendment
The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 (Cth) (Amending Act) made a number of changes to enterprise agreement approval processes in Part 2-4 of the Fair Work Act, that commenced operation on 6 June 2023.
Under transitional arrangements, amendments made by Part 14 of Schedule 1 to the Amending Act in relation to genuine agreement requirements for agreement approval applications apply where the notification time for the agreement was on or after 6 June 2023. The genuine agreement provisions in Part 2-4 of the Fair Work Act, as it was just before 6 June 2023, continue to apply in relation to agreement approval applications where the notification time for the agreement was before 6 June 2023. The notification time for the Agreement was before 6 June 2023.
Under transitional arrangements, amendments made by Part 16 of Schedule 1 to the Amending Act in relation to the better off overall test requirements for agreement approval applications apply where the agreement was made on or after 6 June 2023. The better off overall test provisions in Part 2-4 of the Fair Work Act, as it was just before 6 June 2023, continue to apply in relation to agreement approval applications where the agreement was made before 6 June 2023. The Agreement was made on 31 August 2023.
Section 190 Undertakings
The employer provided written undertakings. A copy of the undertakings is attached in Annexure A. I am satisfied that the undertakings will not cause financial detriment to any employee covered by the Agreement and that the undertakings will not result in substantial changes to the Agreement. The undertakings are taken to be a term of the Agreement.
Section 186, 187, 188 and 190
Subject to the undertakings referred to above, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187, 188 and 190 as are relevant to this application for approval have been met.
Approval
The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 29 September 2023. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 29 September 2027.
DEPUTY PRESIDENT
Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer
<AE521619 PR766536>
- AGLC
- Gainsite Pty Ltd [2023] FWCA 3089
- Case
- [2023] FWCA 3089
- Decision Date
CaseChat Overview and Summary
The primary legal issues the court had to address were whether the Enterprise Agreement 2023 complied with the statutory requirements set out in the Fair Work Act 2009, and if it was fair and reasonable in all respects. The court also considered whether the agreement provided for appropriate processes to resolve disputes between the employer and the employees, and if it adhered to the provisions concerning minimum entitlements and protections for employees.
The court found that the Enterprise Agreement 2023 was compliant with the Fair Work Act 2009 and was fair and reasonable. The agreement was deemed to provide for adequate processes to resolve disputes and did not undermine the minimum entitlements and protections for employees. The court was satisfied that the terms of the agreement were negotiated in good faith and covered all necessary aspects of employment conditions.
As a result, the Fair Work Commission approved the Gainsite Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2023. The agreement will now govern the terms and conditions of employment for the employees of Gainsite Pty Ltd, subject to the provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009.
Orders
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Background
Background to the litigation
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Evidence
Evidence Before The Court
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Decision
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Ratio Decidendi
Legal Principle Established
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