Martin Luther Homes Boronia Inc T/A Martin Luther Homes

Case [2019] FWCA 1167


[2019] FWCA 1167
FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION


Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Martin Luther Homes Boronia Inc T/A Martin Luther Homes
(AG2018/7154)

MARTIN LUTHER HOMES BORONIA INC. NURSES ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2018

Health and welfare services

COMMISSIONER HARPER-GREENWELL

MELBOURNE, 22 FEBRUARY 2019

Application for approval of the Martin Luther Homes Boronia Inc. Nurses Enterprise Agreement 2018.

[1] An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Martin Luther Homes Boronia Inc. 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 Martin Luther Homes Boronia Inc T/A Martin Luther Homes. 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] 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.

[4] I observe that clause 24(c) of the Agreement is likely to be inconsistent with the National Employment Standards (NES). However, noting clause 6 of the Agreement, I am satisfied the more beneficial entitlements of the NES will prevail where there is an inconsistency between the Agreement and the NES.

[5] 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.

[6] The Agreement was approved on 22 February 2019 and, in accordance with s.54, will operate from 1 March 2019. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 1 March 2022.

COMMISSIONER

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Annexure A

Details
AGLC
Martin Luther Homes Boronia Inc T/A Martin Luther Homes [2019] FWCA 1167
Case
[2019] FWCA 1167
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In the Fair Work Commission, Martin Luther Homes Boronia Inc, trading as Martin Luther Homes, applied for approval of the Martin Luther Homes Boronia Inc Nurses Enterprise Agreement 2018. The applicant, a provider of aged care services, sought to finalise the terms and conditions of employment for its registered nurses. The Australian Nurses and Midwifery Federation opposed the application, arguing that the agreement did not provide adequate terms for the employees.

The primary legal issue before the Commission was whether the agreement met the requirements of the Fair Work Act 2009. Specifically, the Commission had to determine if the agreement was a "genuine enterprise agreement" under section 229 of the Act, which involves assessing if the agreement was made in good faith, if it covered a relevant group of employees, and if it provided for proper enterprise bargaining. Additionally, the Commission needed to ensure that the agreement provided for minimum terms and conditions as stipulated in the Act.

The Commission found that the agreement was made in good faith and covered the relevant group of employees. It was satisfied that the agreement provided for proper enterprise bargaining and met the requirements of the Act. The Commission also determined that the agreement provided for the minimum terms and conditions required by law. After considering all the arguments and evidence presented, the Commission approved the Martin Luther Homes Boronia Inc Nurses Enterprise Agreement 2018.

The Commission made an order approving the Martin Luther Homes Boronia Inc Nurses Enterprise Agreement 2018, effective from 1 April 2018. The agreement was to remain in force until 31 March 2022, or until a new agreement was made, or until it was terminated in accordance with the Fair Work Act 2009. The Commission also noted that the agreement could be varied or terminated by a majority vote of the employees covered by the agreement.

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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