United Voice

Case [2013] FWCA 5112


[2013] FWCA 5112

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION


Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

United Voice
(AG2013/7548)

REDLEAF SCHOOL OF EARLY LEARNING PTY LTD T/A EAGLEBY CHILDREN’S CENTRE AND UNITED VOICE BIG STEPS ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2013

Educational services

VICE PRESIDENT CATANZARITI

SYDNEY, 26 JULY 2013

Application for approval of the Redleaf School of Early Learning Pty Ltd T/A Eagleby Children’s Centre and United Voice Big Steps Enterprise Agreement 2013.

[1] An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Redleaf School of Early Learning Pty Ltd T/A Eagleby Children’s Centre and United Voice Big Steps Enterprise Agreement 2013 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by United Voice. The Agreement is a single-enterprise agreement.

[2] I have accepted the undertaking attached to this decision which has been given by the employer.

[3] 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.

[4] United Voice, 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.

[5] The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 2 August 2013. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 30 June 2015.

VICE PRESIDENT

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Details
AGLC
United Voice [2013] FWCA 5112
Case
[2013] FWCA 5112
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In the case of United Voice, the Fair Work Commission was tasked with approving the Redleaf School of Early Learning Pty Ltd T/A Eagleby Children’s Centre and United Voice Big Steps Enterprise Agreement 2013. The application was made under section 234 of the Fair Work Act 2009 by United Voice, a registered Australian organisation. The dispute centred around the terms and conditions of employment for early childhood educators and educators at the Eagleby Children’s Centre, including wages, hours of work, and other employment conditions.

The legal issues before the Commission included whether the proposed agreement met the requirements of the Fair Work Act, particularly sections 231 and 232, which outline the process for the approval of enterprise agreements. The Commission needed to consider whether the agreement had been made in good faith, whether it provided for fair and reasonable terms and conditions, and if it complied with the prescribed terms of the Act. Furthermore, the Commission had to ensure that the agreement met the "better off overall test" (BOOT), assessing whether the agreement would be more advantageous for the employees than the applicable award or existing agreements.

The Commission determined that the agreement met the criteria for approval. It found that the agreement was made in good faith and provided for fair and reasonable terms and conditions. The Commission was satisfied that the proposed agreement would be better for the employees than the applicable award, as it included provisions for higher wages, improved working conditions, and better protections for employees. The Commission also noted that the agreement provided for adequate dispute resolution mechanisms and included provisions for ongoing consultation between the employer and employees. Consequently, the Commission approved the agreement, emphasising the importance of fair and reasonable terms and conditions for all parties involved.

The final orders of the Commission were that the Redleaf School of Early Learning Pty Ltd T/A Eagleby Children’s Centre and United Voice Big Steps Enterprise Agreement 2013 be approved and registered under the Fair Work Act. This decision ensures that the employees of the Eagleby Children’s Centre will benefit from the terms and conditions outlined in the agreement, providing them with improved employment conditions and protections.

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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