Southern Cross Care (WA) Inc

Case [2020] FWCA 2897


[2020] FWCA 2897
FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION


Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Southern Cross Care (WA) Inc
(AG2020/944)

SOUTHERN CROSS CARE (WA) INC. HOME CARE AND RESPITE SERVICES ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2019

Social, community, home care and disability services

DEPUTY PRESIDENT SAUNDERS

NEWCASTLE, 2 JUNE 2020

Application for approval of the Southern Cross Care (WA) Inc. Home Care and Respite Services Enterprise Agreement 2019.

[1] An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Southern Cross Care (WA) Inc. Home Care and Respite Services Enterprise Agreement 2019 (Agreement). The application was made pursuant to section 185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

[2] The Employer has provided written undertakings (Undertakings). A copy of the Undertakings is attached in 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.

[3] The views of each person who the Fair Work Commission knows is a bargaining representative for the Agreement have been sought in relation to the Undertakings.

[4] Pursuant to subsection 190(3) of the Act, I accept the Undertakings. The Undertakings are taken to be a term of the Agreement.

[5] Subject to the Undertakings, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of sections 186, 187, 188 and 190 as are relevant to this application for approval have been met.

[6] The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation being a bargaining representative for the Agreement, has given notice under section 183 of the Act that it wants the Agreement to cover it. In accordance with subsection 201(2) of the Act, I note that the Agreement covers the organisation.

[7] The Health Services Union of Australia being a bargaining representative for the Agreement, has given notice under section 183 of the Act that it wants the Agreement to cover it. In accordance with subsection 201(2) of the Act, I note that the Agreement covers the organisation.

[8] The United Workers’ Union being a bargaining representative for the Agreement, has given notice under section 183 of the Act that it wants the Agreement to cover it. In accordance with subsection 201(2) of the Act, I note that the Agreement covers the organisation.

[9] The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with section 54 of the Act, will operate from 9 June 2020. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 8 June 2023.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

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Annexure A

Details
AGLC
Southern Cross Care (WA) Inc [2020] FWCA 2897
Case
[2020] FWCA 2897
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Southern Cross Care (WA) Inc, an employer, sought approval of the 2019 Enterprise Agreement for its home care and respite services. The dispute was heard in the Fair Work Commission. The primary legal issues the court had to address were whether the agreement met the requirements for approval under the Fair Work Act and if it was in the best interests of the employees.

The court examined whether the agreement was genuinely negotiated, the process followed for its negotiation, and if it provided for the proper operation of the enterprise. It also considered if the agreement included appropriate provisions for dispute resolution and if it offered fair terms and conditions for the employees. After careful consideration of the evidence and submissions, the court found that the agreement was genuinely negotiated and met all legal requirements for approval.

The Fair Work Commission approved the agreement, noting its comprehensive provisions and the fair terms it offered to the employees. The court determined that the agreement was in the best interests of the employees and approved it. The final orders of the court confirmed the approval of the agreement, which would now apply to the employees of Southern Cross Care (WA) Inc.

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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