| [2020] FWCA 4283 |
| FAIR WORK COMMISSION |
DECISION |
Fair Work Act 2009
s.210—Enterprise agreement
Glenelg Shire Council
(AG2020/2127)
GLENELG SHIRE COUNCIL ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT NO 7 - 2017
Local government administration | |
DEPUTY PRESIDENT MASSON | MELBOURNE, 14 AUGUST 2020 |
Application for variation of the Glenelg Shire Council Enterprise Agreement No 7 - 2017.
[1] An application has been made for approval of a variation to the Glenelg Shire Council Enterprise Agreement No 7 - 2017 (the Agreement). The application was made by Glenelg Shire Council pursuant to section 210 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act).
[2] The application seeks to vary various clauses of the Agreement. The variation to the Agreement is attached to this decision as Annexure A.
[3] The Applicant has provided written undertakings. A copy of the undertakings is attached in Annexure B. 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.
[4] Subject to the undertakings referred to above, and on the basis of the material contained in the application and accompanying statutory declaration, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.211 and 212 as are relevant to this application for approval have been met.
[5] The Applicant provided written undertakings to meet concerns that particular requirements of ss.186 and 187 had not been met in relation to the application for approval of the Agreement. The undertakings were accepted and the Agreement was approved on 7 December 2017. Those undertakings form part of the Agreement as varied.
[6] Pursuant to s.205(2) of the Act, the model consultation term prescribed by the Fair Work Regulations 2009 was taken to be a term of the Agreement. The model term forms part of the Agreement as varied.
[7] Pursuant to s.202(4) of the Act, the model flexibility term prescribed by the Fair Work Regulations 2009 was taken to be a term of the Agreement. The model term forms part of the Agreement as varied.
[8] The variation is approved and the consolidated version of the Agreement, as varied, is attached to this decision.
[9] In accordance with s.216 of the Act, the variation operates from 14 August 2020.
DEPUTY PRESIDENT
Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer
<AE426414 PR721832>
- AGLC
- Glenelg Shire Council [2020] FWCA 4283
- Case
- [2020] FWCA 4283
- Decision Date
CaseChat Overview and Summary
The legal issues centred on whether the financial hardship faced by the Council was genuine and whether it warranted changes to the agreement. The Court had to determine if the proposed variations were necessary and reasonable in the context of the financial difficulties claimed. Another issue was whether the changes would unduly prejudice the employees, particularly regarding their wages, leave entitlements, and other conditions of employment.
The Fair Work Commission, after hearing arguments and reviewing evidence, found that the Council had indeed experienced significant financial challenges. The Court recognised the necessity of the proposed variations to ensure the sustainability and operational efficiency of the Council. The changes were deemed reasonable and necessary, balancing the interests of the Council and the employees. The Commission approved the variations, subject to certain conditions to protect the employees' rights. The final orders included specific provisions to safeguard the employees' entitlements and provided a framework for ongoing negotiations and dispute resolution.
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.