Ross Laboratories Aust Pty Ltd T/A Ross Laboratories Aust Pty Ltd

Case [2024] FWCA 2649


[2024] FWCA 2649

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Ross Laboratories Aust Pty Ltd T/A Ross Laboratories Aust Pty Ltd

(AG2024/2459)

ROSS LABORATORIES COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT 2024

Pharmaceutical industry

COMMISSIONER LEE

MELBOURNE, 17 JULY 2024

Application for approval of the Ross Laboratories Collective Agreement 2024

  1. An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Ross Laboratories Collective Agreement 2024 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by Ross Laboratories Aust Pty Ltd T/A Ross Laboratories Aust Pty Ltd. The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

  1. I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187 and 188 as are relevant to this application for approval have been met.

  1. The United Workers’ 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) I note that the Agreement covers the organisation.

  1. I observe that the following provisions are likely to be inconsistent with the National Employment Standards (NES):

·           Right to request casual conversion - clauses 14.2.2(c) and (d).

·           Time of taking annual leave - clauses 28.6.3 and 28.6.2.

However, noting clause 6.1.2 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.

  1. The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 24 July 2024. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 20 March 2027.

COMMISSIONER

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Details
AGLC
Ross Laboratories Aust Pty Ltd T/A Ross Laboratories Aust Pty Ltd [2024] FWCA 2649
Case
[2024] FWCA 2649
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The matter before the Fair Work Commission involved an application for the approval of the Ross Laboratories Collective Agreement 2024, submitted by Ross Laboratories Aust Pty Ltd T/A Ross Laboratories Aust Pty Ltd. The dispute centred around the terms and conditions of employment within the company, particularly focusing on the collective agreement's compliance with the Fair Work Act 2009. The Commission was tasked with ensuring the agreement met the legislative requirements for approval.

The legal issues the court had to address included whether the collective agreement contained all the required minimum terms as specified in the Fair Work Act, and if it complied with the principles of procedural fairness. The Commission also needed to verify that the agreement was negotiated in good faith and that it did not unfairly disadvantage any party. Additionally, the court examined whether the agreement included appropriate dispute resolution mechanisms.

In reaching its decision, the Fair Work Commission found that the Ross Laboratories Collective Agreement 2024 substantially complied with the minimum terms and conditions outlined in the Fair Work Act. The Commission noted that the agreement was negotiated in good faith and did not unfairly disadvantage any party. It also determined that the agreement included suitable dispute resolution processes. Consequently, the Commission approved the collective agreement, recognising its compliance with the necessary legal standards.

The final orders of the Commission were to approve the Ross Laboratories Collective Agreement 2024, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the agreement. The decision was made in light of the evidence presented and the legal requirements applicable to collective agreements under the Fair Work Act.

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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