St Catherine's School

[2019] FWCA 7379

[2019] FWCA 7379

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009
s.185—Enterprise agreement

St Catherine's School
(AG2019/3651)

ST CATHERINE'S SCHOOL - TEACHERS AGREEMENT 2019

Educational services
COMMISSIONER LEE	MELBOURNE, 29 OCTOBER 2019

Application for approval of the St Catherine's School - Teachers Agreement 2019.

[1] An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the St Catherine’s School - Teachers Agreement 2019 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by St Catherine’s School. The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

[2] I note that the employer’s statutory declaration in support of the application for approval of an enterprise agreement (F17) indicates that employees were notified of the details of the vote via email on 4 September 2019. I note that the vote commenced less than seven clear days later, on 10 September 2019. Also relevant is the fact that the F17 states that 88 out of 103 employees that will be covered by the Agreement who cast a valid vote, voted to approve the Agreement. I also note the vote was open until 17 September 2019.

[3] In Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union and Ors v CBI Constructors Pty Ltd, 1 the Full Bench confirmed that an employer must take all reasonable steps to notify relevant employees of the time, place and method of the vote at least seven clear days before the commencement of the vote, pursuant to s.180 (3) of the Act. Although it does not appear that employees were notified of the time, place and method of the vote seven clear days before the commencement of the vote, I refer to s.188 (2) of the Act and am satisfied that this error constitutes a minor procedural error, and that employees covered by this Agreement are not likely to be disadvantaged as a result of the error.2

[4] 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.

[5] The Independent Education Union of Australia 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 is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 5 November 2019. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 4 November 2022.

COMMISSIONER

 1   [2018] FWCFB 2732.

 2   Huntsman Chemical Company Australia Pty Limited T/A RMAX Rigid Cellular Plastics & Others [2019] FWCFB 318.

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