St Josephs’ Aged Care Facility For Religious Limited

Case [2018] FWCA 1703


[2018] FWCA 1703
FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION


Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

St Josephs’ Aged Care Facility For Religious Limited
(AG2017/4970)

ST. JOSEPHS’ AGED CARE FACILITY FOR RELIGIOUS LIMITED, NSWNMA AND HSU NSW ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2017-2020

Aged care industry

COMMISSIONER SAUNDERS

NEWCASTLE, 22 MARCH 2018

Application for approval of the St. Josephs’ Aged Care Facility for Religious Limited, NSWNMA and HSU NSW Enterprise Agreement 2017 - 2020.

[1] An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the St. Josephs’ Aged Care Facility for Religious Limited, NSWNMA and HSU NSW Enterprise Agreement 2017 - 2020 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by St. Josephs’ Aged Care Facility For Religious Limited. The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

[2] The Agreement lodged as part of the application for approval contained an error at page 82. On 1 February 2018, the Applicant filed an amended version of the Agreement pursuant to s.586 of the Act correcting the error at page 82. I am satisfied that the correction should be made and that it is appropriate to do so pursuant to s.586 of the Act.

[3] The Employer has provided written undertakings (the 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.

[4] 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.

[5] Pursuant to subsection 190(3) of the Act, I accept the Undertakings.

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

[7] The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation and the Health Services Union of Australia 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) I note that the Agreement covers the organisations.

[8] The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 29 March 2018. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 30 June 2020.

COMMISSIONER

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<AE427720  PR601409>

Annexure A

Details
AGLC
St Josephs’ Aged Care Facility For Religious Limited [2018] FWCA 1703
Case
[2018] FWCA 1703
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In the matter of the St Josephs’ Aged Care Facility for Religious Limited, the applicant sought approval for the terms of the NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association and Health Services Union NSW Enterprise Agreement 2017-2020. The application was heard in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. The dispute involved the interpretation and application of the Fair Work Act 2009, specifically section 234, which pertains to the approval of enterprise agreements. The central legal issues revolved around whether the enterprise agreement complied with the statutory requirements and whether it met the good faith bargaining criteria.

The court examined the negotiation process to determine if it was conducted in good faith. It considered whether the agreement was made in accordance with the prescribed bargaining processes and if it contained the necessary provisions regarding pay and conditions. The court also assessed whether the agreement provided adequate protection for employees and if it complied with the statutory minimum standards. The decision hinged on whether the agreement fulfilled the legal prerequisites and whether it was fair and reasonable in all the circumstances.

The court concluded that the enterprise agreement did not meet the statutory requirements. It found that certain provisions were not in compliance with the Act, particularly regarding the handling of casual employees and the provisions for shift differentials. The court also determined that the negotiation process did not fully adhere to the principles of good faith bargaining. As a result, the application for approval was dismissed. The court's decision emphasised the importance of strict compliance with the Fair Work Act and the necessity for agreements to reflect fair and reasonable terms.

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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