In the termination of the South Bank Employing Office Employees' Certified Agreement 2019

[2023] QIRC 311

QUEENSLAND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION

CITATION:        

In the termination of the South Bank Employing Office Employees' Certified Agreement 2019 [2023] QIRC 311

PARTIES:

South Bank Employing Office

AND

Together Queensland, Industrial Union of Employees

United Workers' Union, Industrial Union of Employees, Queensland

CASE NO.:

CB/2023/108

PROCEEDING:

Termination of an agreement

DELIVERED ON:

31 October 2023

HEARING DATE: 

31 October 2023

MEMBER:

Power IC

HEARD AT:

Brisbane

ORDER:

The South Bank Employing Office Employees' Certified Agreement 2019 is terminated.

CATCHWORDS:

INDUSTRIAL LAW – QUEENSLAND – AGREEMENTS – application for termination of agreement after nominal expiry date – requirements for termination – agreement terminated

LEGISLATION:

Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld), ss 189 and 228

APPEARANCES:

Mr W. Delves and Ms T. Armstrong for South Bank Employing Office

Reasons for Decision

1. On 11 October 2023, the South Bank Employing Office ('the Applicant') applied, pursuant to s 228(1) of the Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld) ('the Act'), to terminate the South Bank Employees' Certified Agreement 2019 ('the certified agreement').

1. The certified agreement has a nominal expiry date of 28 February 2022.

1. Section 228 of the Act provides:

   228     Termination after nominal expiry date

   (1)After the nominal expiry date of a certified agreement or arbitration determination, the following persons may apply to the commission to terminate the agreement or determination—

   (a)the employer;

   (b)a valid majority of the relevant employees;

   (c)an employee organisation to which the agreement or determination applies and that has at least 1 member who is a relevant employee.

   (2)The person who intends to apply to terminate the agreement or determination must give all other persons to whom the agreement or determination applies notice of the intention.

   (3)The commission must approve the termination if, and must refuse to approve the termination unless, satisfied subsection (2) has been complied with and—

   (a)for an agreement or determination that provides that it may be terminated if particular conditions are met—the conditions have been met; or

   (b)for an agreement or determination that does not provide for the way it may be terminated—

   (i)the other parties to the agreement or determination agree to it being terminated; and

   (ii)termination of the agreement or determination is not contrary to the public interest.

   (4)The termination takes effect when the commission's approval takes effect.

2. I have had regard to:

   (a)the submissions made by the parties who appeared today; and

   (b)the affidavit of Mr William John Delves, Chief Executive Officer of the Applicant.

3. The certified agreement does not provide that particular conditions need to be met before it may be terminated.

4. I am satisfied that the Applicant has given the requisite notice of its intention to apply to terminate the certified agreement.

5. On 11 October 2023, the Applicant made an application, pursuant to s 189 of the Act, to certify the South Bank Employing Office Employees' Certified Agreement 2023.

6. The Applicant and the following employee organisations have agreed to the terms of the South Bank Employing Office Employees' Certified Agreement 2023 which will replace the certified agreement:

   (a)South Bank Employing Office;

   (b)Together Queensland, Industrial Union of Employees; and

(c)United Workers' Union, Industrial Union of Employees, Queensland.

1. I am satisfied that:

   (a)all parties to the certified agreement agree to it being terminated; and

   (b)the termination of the certified agreement is not contrary to the public interest.

2. Section 228(4) of the Act provides that termination takes effect when the Commission's approval takes effect.

1. I approve the termination of the South Bank Employing Office Employees' Certified Agreement 2019 with effect from 31 October 2023.

1. I make the following order:

The South Bank Employing Office Employees' Certified Agreement 2019 is terminated.