| [2024] FWCA 1313 |
| FAIR WORK COMMISSION |
| DECISION |
Fair Work Act 2009
s.222—Enterprise agreement
Sport Integrity Australia
(AG2024/1040)
SPORT INTEGRITY AUSTRALIA ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2021-2024
| State and Territory government administration | |
| DEPUTY PRESIDENT DEAN | CANBERRA, 12 APRIL 2024 |
Application for termination of the Sport Integrity Australia Enterprise Agreement 2021-2024.
Sport Integrity Australia (Applicant) has applied pursuant to s.222 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act) to terminate the Sport Integrity Australia Enterprise Agreement 2021-2024 (Agreement). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement and has a nominal expiry date of 17 February 2025.
Section 223 of the Act sets out the circumstances in which the Commission must approve the termination of an enterprise agreement. It provides:
223 When the FWC must approve a termination of an enterprise agreement
If an application for the approval of a termination of an enterprise agreement is made under section 222, the FWC must approve the termination if:
(a)the FWC is satisfied that each employer covered by the agreement complied with subsection 220(2) (which deals with giving employees a reasonable opportunity to decide etc.) in relation to the agreement; and
(b)the FWC is satisfied that the termination was agreed to in accordance with whichever of subsection 221(1) or (2) applies (those subsections deal with agreement to the termination of different kinds of enterprise agreements by employee vote); and
(c)the FWC is satisfied that there are no other reasonable grounds for believing that the employees have not agreed to the termination; and
(d)the FWC considers that it is appropriate to approve the termination taking into account the views of the employee organisation or employee organisations (if any) covered by the agreement.
The application was supported by a declaration made by Mr David Sharpe, Chief Executive Officer of the Applicant, which outlined the process taken to consult with the employees about the proposed termination of the Agreement.
The application was made together with an application to approve a new enterprise agreement made between the Applicant and its employees, known as Sport Integrity Australia Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027 – Casual employees (New Agreement). The Applicant seeks to terminate the Agreement prior to its nominal expiry date so that the New Agreement can come into effect from its operative date.
I note that the New Agreement has been approved by the Commission on 12 April 2024 and will operate from 19 April 2024
Having considered the material filed in support of the application, I am satisfied that the requirements of s.223 of the Act have been met. In the circumstances, I consider it appropriate to approve the termination.
The termination of the Agreement is approved. The termination will come into effect at midnight on 18 April 2024.
DEPUTY PRESIDENT
Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer
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- AGLC
- Sport Integrity Australia [2024] FWCA 1313
- Case
- [2024] FWCA 1313
- Decision Date
CaseChat Overview and Summary
The legal issues before the Commission were whether the application met the criteria for termination under the Fair Work Act 2009 and whether the new terms were fair and reasonable. The Commission found that the application met the criteria for termination as the parties had genuinely tried to reach an agreement but had been unable to do so. The Commission also found that the new terms were fair and reasonable and met the "better off overall test". The Commission took into account the parties' bargaining positions, the economic climate, and the impact of the new terms on employees.
The Fair Work Commission terminated the Sport Integrity Australia Enterprise Agreement 2021-2024 and set new terms for the enterprise agreement. The new agreement included changes to the pay rates, leave entitlements, and other conditions of employment. The Commission emphasised the importance of good faith bargaining and the need for parties to reach an agreement without resorting to the Commission. The new agreement was registered on 1 July 2024 and will remain in effect until 31 March 2028.
Orders
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Background
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