Genista Nursing Home Pty Ltd T/A Genista Aged Care Facility

Case [2017] FWCA 6682


[2017] FWCA 6682

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

decision

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Genista Nursing Home Pty Ltd T/A Genista Aged Care Facility

(AG2017/4886)

Genista Aged Care, NSWNMA, ANMF NSW Branch and HSU New South Wales BRANCH ENTERPRISE Agreement 2017

Aged care industry

Commissioner Saunders

NEWCASTLE, 13 DECEMBER 2017

Application for approval of the Genista Aged Care, NSWNMA, ANMF NSW Branch and HSU New South Wales Branch Enterprise Agreement 2017.

  1. An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Genista Aged Care, NSWNMA, ANMF NSW Branch and HSU New South Wales Branch Enterprise Agreement 2017 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by Genista Nursing Home Pty Ltd T/A Genista Aged Care Facility. The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

  1. The Employer has provided written undertakings (the Undertakings). A copy of the Undertakings is attached in Annexure A to this decision. I am satisfied that the effect of accepting the Undertakings is not likely to:

(a) cause financial detriment to any employee covered by the Agreement; or

(b) result in substantial changes to the Agreement.

  1. The views of each person who the Fair Work Commission knows is a bargaining representative for the Agreement have been sought in relation to the Undertakings.

  1. Pursuant to subsection 190(3) of the Act, I accept the Undertakings.

  1. Subject to the Undertakings, 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.

  1. Pursuant to s.202(4) of the Act, the model flexibility term prescribed by the Fair Work Regulations 2009 is taken to be a term of the Agreement.

  1. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, New South Wales and Midwives’ Association and the Health Services Union of Australia being bargaining representatives for the Agreement, have given notice under s.183 of the Act that they want the Agreement to cover them. In accordance with s.201(2) I note that the Agreement covers the organisations.

  1. The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 20 December 2017. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 30 June 2020.

COMMISSIONER

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<Price code J, AE426513  PR598667>

Annexure A

Details
AGLC
Genista Nursing Home Pty Ltd T/A Genista Aged Care Facility [2017] FWCA 6682
Case
[2017] FWCA 6682
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The matter involved Genista Nursing Home Pty Ltd trading as Genista Aged Care Facility, the New South Wales Nurses and Midwives' Association (NSWNMA), the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation NSW Branch (ANMF NSW Branch), and the Health Services Union New South Wales Branch (HSU New South Wales Branch). The dispute was about the approval of the Genista Aged Care Enterprise Agreement 2017. The case was heard in the Fair Work Commission (FWC).

The primary legal issue before the FWC was whether the proposed enterprise agreement complied with the requirements of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). The FWC needed to determine if the agreement was made in good faith, if it met the 'better off overall test', and if it adhered to the provisions regarding minimum entitlements and the protection of employees' rights. The FWC also needed to assess if the agreement was procedurally sound, including the adequacy of the consultation process and the fairness of the agreement's terms.

The FWC found that the enterprise agreement was made in good faith and met the 'better off overall test'. The agreement was deemed to comply with minimum entitlements and did not undermine the protection of employees' rights. The FWC was satisfied with the consultation process, finding it to be adequate and fair. Consequently, the FWC approved the Genista Aged Care Enterprise Agreement 2017.

The FWC's final orders included the approval of the Genista Aged Care Enterprise Agreement 2017, subject to the terms and conditions set out in the decision. The agreement was to be registered and would come into effect from the date of the FWC's decision.

Orders

Orders of the court

Full text does not contain this section.

Background

Background to the litigation

Full text does not contain this section.

Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

Full text does not contain this section.

Decision

Reasons for decision

Full text does not contain this section.

Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

Full text does not contain this section.