United Voice

Case [2013] FWCA 6254


[2013] FWCA 6254

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION


Fair Work Act 2009

s.217 - Application to vary an agreement to remove an ambiguity or uncertainty

United Voice
(AG2013/8730)

BIG STEPS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SA UNITED VOICE - CONYNGHAM STREET COMMUNITY CHILDREN'S CENTRE INC COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT 2013

Children's services

COMMISSIONER STEEL

ADELAIDE, 28 AUGUST 2013

Application for variation of the Big Steps in Early Childhood Education SA United Voice - Conyngham Street Community Children's Centre Inc Collective Agreement 2013.

[1] An application has been made to vary the Big Steps in Early Childhood Education SA United Voice - Conyngham Street Community Children's Centre Inc Collective Agreement 2013 (the Agreement) to remove an ambiguity or uncertainty. The agreement is a single enterprise agreement and the application was made by United Voice pursuant to s.217 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act).

[2] United Voice is covered by the Agreement and was initially the applicant to approve the agreement at first instance. The employer, Conyngham Street Community Children's Centre Inc has supported the application by way of written submission to the Commission.

[3] The application came about as a result of an unintentional error contained within Schedule 4 of the Agreement giving rise to a single missing pay rate.

[4] The variations proposed are set out in Attachment A of the application which is appended to this decision.

[5] I am satisfied that each of the requirements of s.217 of the Act have been met. Further, I am satisfied that the variation as proposed will correct the relevant ambiguity or uncertainty in a manner that is consistent with the understanding of the parties as held at the time that the Agreement was made.

[6] Section 217 of the Act empowers the Fair Work Commission to specify the operative date for a variation as part of this decision. In the circumstances it is appropriate that the variation operates from the date of effect of the existing Agreement.

[7] Accordingly, the Agreement is hereby varied in accordance with Attachment A and the variation will operate on and from 28 June 2013. The consolidated version of the agreement, as varied, is attached to this decision.

COMMISSIONER

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<Price code J, AE401935  PR540891>

ATTACHMENT A

SCHEDULE 4 – EARLY YEARS QUALITY FUND WAGES SCHEDULE

The below table shows the additional hourly rate to be paid in addition to the rates in Schedule 2 and Schedule 3 upon receipt of additional funding for wages from the Early Years Quality Fund.

Classification

Level/Step

Addition to Hourly Rate

Support Worker

Level 1.1 - On commencement

1.1

$2.49

Level 2.1 - On commencement

2.1

$2.64

Level 2.2 - After 1 year

2.2

$2.77

Level 3.1 - On commencement

3.1

$3.00

Children's Services Employee

Level 1.1 - On commencement

1.1

$2.49

Level 2.1 - On commencement

2.1

$2.64

Level 2.2 - After 1 year

2.2

$2.77

Level 3A.1 - On commencement

3A.1

$2.95

Level 3A.2 - After 1 year

3A.2

$3.00

Level 3.1 - On commencement

3.1

$3.00

Level 3.2 - After 1 year

3.2

$3.15

Level 3.3 - After 2 year

3.3

$3.30

Level 3.4 (Diploma)

3.4

$3.60

Level 4A.1 - On commencement

4A.1

$3.20

Level 4A.2 - After 1 year

4A.2

$3.25

Level 4A.3 - After 2 year

4A.3

$3.29

Level 4A.4 - After 3 year

4A.4

$3.34

Level 4A.5 - After 4 year

4A.5

$3.38

Level 4.1 - On commencement

4.1

$3.90

Level 4.2 - After 1 year

4.2

$3.96

Level 4.3 - After 2 year

4.3

$4.02

Level 5A.1 - On commencement

5A.1

$4.08

Level 5A.2 - After 1 year

5A.2

$4.14

Level 5A.3 - After 2 year

5A.3

$4.20

Level 5.1 - On commencement

5.1

$4.08

Level 5.2 - After 1 year

5.2

$4.14

Level 5.3 - After 2 year

5.3

$4.20

Level 5.4 (Assistant Director with Advanced Diploma)

5.4

$4.28

Classification

Addition to Hourly Rate

Children's Services Employee - Director

Level 6.1 - On commencement

$4.76

Level 6.2 - After 1 year

$4.82

Level 6.3 - After 2 year

$4.88

Level 6.4 - On commencement

$5.06

Level 6.5 - After 1 year

$5.11

Level 6.6 - After 2 year

$5.17

Level 6.7 - On commencement

$5.23

Level 6.8 - After 1 year

$5.29

Level 6.9 - After 2 year

$5.35

Classification

Addition to Hourly Rate

Educational Services - Teacher

1

$4.08

2

$4.14

3

$4.20

4

$4.26

5

$4.32

6

$4.38

7

$4.44

8

$4.50

9

$4.56

10

$4.62

11

$4.68

12

$4.74

Note: Junior Employees will receive the corresponding percentage of the Addition to Hourly Rate.

Details
AGLC
United Voice [2013] FWCA 6254
Case
[2013] FWCA 6254
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The case of United Voice involved an application for the variation of the Big Steps in Early Childhood Education SA United Voice – Conyngham Street Community Children’s Centre Inc Collective Agreement 2013. This was brought before the Fair Work Commission, which was required to assess the application for changes to the existing agreement between the employer and the employees represented by United Voice.

The central legal issues revolved around the process for varying a registered agreement under the Fair Work Act 2009, and the merits of the proposed changes. The application sought to address specific concerns regarding the classification of roles within the organisation and the associated remuneration and conditions. The Fair Work Commission had to determine whether the application met the legal criteria for varying the existing agreement, including assessing whether the proposed changes were fair and reasonable and did not undermine the intent of the original agreement.

The Fair Work Commission found that the application satisfied the legal requirements for varying the agreement. The Commission considered the evidence presented by both parties and concluded that the proposed changes were fair and reasonable. The Commission noted that the changes would better reflect the roles and responsibilities within the organisation and would not undermine the intent of the original agreement. As a result, the Commission approved the variation of the agreement.

Consequently, the Fair Work Commission varied the Big Steps in Early Childhood Education SA United Voice – Conyngham Street Community Children’s Centre Inc Collective Agreement 2013 in accordance with the application. The new agreement incorporated the changes regarding role classifications, remuneration, and conditions as proposed by United Voice.

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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