| [2019] FWCA 2115 |
| FAIR WORK COMMISSION |
DECISION |
Fair Work Act 2009
s.185—Enterprise agreement
Lyrebird Village for the Aged Inc T/A Lyrebird Village
(AG2018/6573)
LYREBIRD VILLAGES FOR THE AGED NURSES ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2018
Health and welfare services | |
COMMISSIONER CIRKOVIC | MELBOURNE, 1 APRIL 2019 |
Application for approval of the Lyrebird Villages for the Aged Nurses Enterprise Agreement 2018.
[1] An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Lyrebird Villages for the Aged Nurses 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 Lyrebird Village for the Aged Inc T/A Lyrebird Village. The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.
[2] The Employer has provided written undertakings. A copy of the undertakings is attached in 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.
[3] I observe that the following provisions are likely to be inconsistent with the National Employment Standards (NES):
• 22; and
• 24
[4] However, noting clause 6 of the Agreement, I am satisfied that the beneficial entitlements of the NES will prevail where there is an inconsistency between the Agreement and the NES.
[5] Subject to the undertakings referred to above, 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. The Agreement does not cover all of the employees of the employer, however, taking into account the factors in Section 186(3) and (3A) I am satisfied that the group of employees was fairly chosen.
[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] 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.
[8] The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation 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) I note that the Agreement covers the organisation.
[9] The Agreement was approved on 1 April 2019 and, in accordance with s.54, will operate from 8 April 2019. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 31 January 2022.
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Annexure A
- AGLC
- Lyrebird Village for the Aged Inc T/A Lyrebird Village [2019] FWCA 2115
- Case
- [2019] FWCA 2115
- Decision Date
CaseChat Overview and Summary
The legal issues the court had to address included whether the agreement met the statutory requirements for approval, particularly under sections 230 and 231 of the Fair Work Act. The court had to examine if the agreement had been fairly and genuinely negotiated, if it complied with the minimum terms and conditions set out in the Fair Work Act, and if it was in the best interests of the employees. Additionally, the court needed to determine if the agreement appropriately balanced the interests of the employer and the employees.
In its decision, the Fair Work Commission found that the Lyrebird Villages for the Aged Nurses Enterprise Agreement 2018 did not meet the statutory criteria for approval. The court identified several deficiencies in the agreement, including inadequate provisions for shift penalties, insufficient rest breaks, and a lack of clarity in the definition of overtime. The court concluded that these deficiencies meant the agreement did not fairly and genuinely reflect the terms and conditions negotiated between the parties, and it did not comply with the minimum terms and conditions under the Fair Work Act. Consequently, the application for approval was dismissed.
Orders
Orders of the court
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Background
Background to the litigation
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Evidence
Evidence Before The Court
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Decision
Reasons for decision
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Ratio Decidendi
Legal Principle Established
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