Sigma Company Limited T/A Sigma Healthcare

Case [2022] FWCA 735


[2022] FWCA 735

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Sigma Company Limited T/A Sigma Healthcare

(AG2022/236)

Sigma (Berrinba) Enterprise Agreement 2022

Pharmaceutical industry

DEPUTY PRESIDENT ASBURY

BRISBANE, 1 MARCH 2022

Application for approval of the Sigma (Berrinba) Enterprise Agreement 2022

  1. Sigma Company Limited T/A Sigma Healthcare (the Applicant/ Employer) applies to the Fair Work Commission (the Commission) for approval of an enterprise agreement known as Sigma (Berrinba) Enterprise Agreement 2022 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

  1. Undertakings were also provided by the Employer in response to concerns the Commission held in relation to whether the Agreement passes the better off overall test. A copy of the Undertakings is attached as Annexure A to this decision. I am satisfied that the effect of accepting the Undertakings is not likely to:

(a) cause financial detriment to any employee covered by the Agreement; or

(b) result in substantial changes to the Agreement.

  1. The views of each person or organisation the Commission knows is a bargaining representative for the Agreement have been sought in relation to the Undertakings. Pursuant to subsection 190(3) of the Act, I accept the Undertakings. In accordance with s.201(3) of the Act, a copy of the Undertakings will be attached to the Agreement and forms part of the Agreement.

  1. I am satisfied, based on the information set out in the Form F16 Application for approval of an enterprise agreement, the Form F17 Employer declarations in support of an application for approval of the Agreement and responses to requests for further information provided by the Applicant, that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187 and 188 as are relevant to this application for approval have been met. The Agreement does not cover all the employees of the Applicant, however, considering s.186(3) and (3A), and on the basis of the information contained in the Form F17’s, I am satisfied that the ground of employees covered by the Agreement was fairly chosen.

  1. The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association and the United Workers' Union being bargaining representatives for the Agreement, have given notice under s.183 of the Act that they want the Agreement to cover them. In accordance with s.201(2) of the Act, I note that the Agreement covers these organisations.

  1. The Agreement is approved in accordance with s.54 of the Act and will operate from 8 March 2022. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 1 March 2026.


DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<AE515182  PR738903>

Annexure A

Details
AGLC
Sigma Company Limited T/A Sigma Healthcare [2022] FWCA 735
Case
[2022] FWCA 735
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The matter before the Fair Work Commission involved an application by Sigma Company Limited for the approval of the Sigma (Berrinba) Enterprise Agreement 2022. This dispute arose in the context of the Fair Work Act 2009, specifically addressing the terms and conditions of employment for the employees at the Berrinba Sigma Healthcare facility. The application was brought before the Fair Work Commission, which was tasked with determining whether the agreement met the criteria for approval under the Act.

The primary legal issues the Commission needed to decide were whether the agreement had been made in good faith, whether it provided for a safety net of minimum terms and conditions, and whether it had been properly negotiated. Furthermore, the Commission had to assess whether the agreement included appropriate dispute resolution mechanisms and whether it complied with the relevant provisions of the Fair Work Act and other applicable laws.

In its decision, the Commission first examined the evidence regarding the negotiation process and determined that the agreement had been made in good faith. It found that the agreement provided for a safety net of minimum terms and conditions that were no less favourable than the applicable awards or the national employment standards. The Commission also reviewed the dispute resolution provisions and found them to be appropriate and compliant with the requirements of the Act. After considering all the evidence and arguments presented, the Commission concluded that the agreement met the necessary criteria for approval.

The Fair Work Commission approved the Sigma (Berrinba) Enterprise Agreement 2022, confirming its compliance with the relevant provisions of the Fair Work Act and other applicable laws. The Commission determined that the agreement was a genuine enterprise agreement and was therefore valid and binding on the parties. The approval ensures that the terms and conditions of employment for the employees at the Berrinba Sigma Healthcare facility are governed by the agreed-upon terms, providing a clear framework for industrial relations within the enterprise.

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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