| [2024] FWCA 3966 |
| FAIR WORK COMMISSION |
| DECISION |
Fair Work Act 2009
s.185—Enterprise agreement
I-MED Regional Pty Limited T/A I-MED Regional Pty Limited
(AG2024/3576)
I-MED TASMANIA ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2023
| Health and welfare services | |
| DEPUTY PRESIDENT MILLHOUSE | MELBOURNE, 13 NOVEMBER 2024 |
Application for approval of the I-MED Tasmania Enterprise Agreement 2023
An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the I-MED Tasmania Enterprise Agreement 2023 (Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s 185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (Act). It has been made by I-MED Regional Pty Limited T/A I-MED Regional Pty Limited (Employer). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.
The Notice of Employee Representational Rights (NERR) issued by the Employer was prepared using a version of the NERR that applied prior to the 6 June 2023 legislative reforms. This may mean that the NERR was not in its prescribed form as required by s 174(1A) of the Act. Having regard to the Employer’s submissions, I am satisfied that this is a minor or technical error and employees covered by the Agreement were not likely to have been disadvantaged by it. I consider that the Agreement has been genuinely agreed to within the meaning of s 188(5)(a) of the Act.
The Employer has provided written undertakings. A copy of the undertakings is attached at 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.
Subject to the undertakings referred to above, I am satisfied that each requirement of ss 186, 187, 188 and 190 as are relevant to this application for approval have been met. For the purposes of the better off overall test, I have had regard to each of the matters in s 193A(2)-(7).
Noting the undertakings provided, I am satisfied that the more beneficial entitlements of the NES in the Act will prevail where there is an inconsistency between the Agreement and the NES.
The Health Services Union 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.
The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s 54 of the Act will operate from 20 November 2024. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 30 June 2026.
DEPUTY PRESIDENT
Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer
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Annexure A
- AGLC
- I-MED Regional Pty Limited T/A I-MED Regional Pty Limited [2024] FWCA 3966
- Case
- [2024] FWCA 3966
- Decision Date
CaseChat Overview and Summary
The primary legal issue before the Commission was whether the I-MED Tasmania Enterprise Agreement 2023 met the statutory criteria for approval, particularly under sections 234 and 235 of the Fair Work Act 2009. This involved examining the agreement's provisions on minimum wages, classification, working hours, leave entitlements, and procedural fairness. The Commission needed to ensure that the agreement did not disadvantage employees and that it was fair and reasonable, taking into account the principles of procedural fairness and the broader context of the enterprise bargaining process.
The Commission found that the I-MED Tasmania Enterprise Agreement 2023 was fair and reasonable and met all the legislative requirements for approval. The agreement was consistent with the statutory minimum terms and conditions and provided adequate provisions for pay and conditions, leave entitlements, and procedural fairness. The Commission noted that the agreement had been negotiated in good faith and that it provided for fair and reasonable terms for the employees covered by the agreement. Consequently, the Commission approved the agreement, finding it to be compliant with the Fair Work Act 2009.
The Fair Work Commission approved the I-MED Tasmania Enterprise Agreement 2023, effective from 1 July 2023. The agreement was to apply to the employees of I-MED Regional within the Tasmania branch and would supersede any previous agreements. The Commission's decision was based on the comprehensive assessment that the agreement provided for fair and reasonable terms and conditions of employment, in line with the requirements of the Fair Work Act 2009.
Orders
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Background
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