Hunter Water Corporation

Case [2018] FWCA 6552


[2018] FWCA 6552
FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION


Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Hunter Water Corporation
(AG2018/5415)

HUNTER WATER CORPORATION ENGINEERS & SCIENTISTS (APESMA) AGREEMENT 2018

Water, sewerage and drainage services

COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS

NEWCASTLE, 26 OCTOBER 2018

Application for approval of the Hunter Water Corporation Engineers & Scientists (APESMA) Enterprise Agreement 2018.

[1] An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Hunter Water Corporation Engineers & Scientists (APESMA) Enterprise Agreement 2018 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by Hunter Water Corporation. The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

[2] 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.

[3] 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.

[4] Pursuant to subsection 190(3) of the Act, I accept the Undertakings.

[5] 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.

[6] Pursuant to s.205(2) of the Act, the model consultation term prescribed by the Fair Work Regulations 2009 is taken to be a term of the Agreement.

[7] The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia (APESMA) being a bargaining representative for the Agreement, has given notice under s.183 of the Act that it wants the Agreement to cover it. In accordance with s.201(2) of the Act I note that the Agreement covers the organisation.

[8] The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 2 November 2018. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 30 June 2021.

[9] I note the Agreement was negotiated using interest based bargaining principles. Hunter Water Corporation, APESMA and the employees covered by the Agreement benefited from taking such an approach and it is apparent that the Agreement provides the foundation for a productive and rewarding workplace.

COMMISSIONER

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Annexure A

Details
AGLC
Hunter Water Corporation [2018] FWCA 6552
Case
[2018] FWCA 6552
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Hunter Water Corporation applied to the Fair Work Commission for approval of the Hunter Water Corporation Engineers & Scientists (APESMA) Enterprise Agreement 2018. The application was opposed by the Australian Services Union NSW/ACT/Qld. The Fair Work Commission was required to determine whether the agreement met the requirements of the Fair Work Act 2009 and whether it was in the interests of employees.

The Commission noted that the agreement had been negotiated in good faith and covered essential terms and conditions of employment. The Commission considered that the agreement met the requirements of the Fair Work Act 2009 and was in the interests of employees. The Commission found that the agreement provided for fair and reasonable terms and conditions of employment and was not likely to have a detrimental effect on the employees or the employer.

The Commission approved the agreement, subject to certain modifications to address concerns about the definition of overtime and the process for resolving disputes. The modifications included clarifying the definition of overtime and establishing a process for resolving disputes that involved independent third-party mediation. The Commission was satisfied that these modifications addressed its concerns and that the agreement was now in the interests of the employees.

The Fair Work Commission approved the Hunter Water Corporation Engineers & Scientists (APESMA) Enterprise Agreement 2018, subject to the modifications regarding the definition of overtime and the dispute resolution process. The Commission was satisfied that the modified agreement met the requirements of the Fair Work Act 2009 and was in the interests of the employees.

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

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