United Voice Northern Territory Branch

Case [2013] FWCA 6130


[2013] FWCA 6130

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION


Fair Work Act 2009

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

United Voice Northern Territory Branch
(AG2013/8601)

JINGILI KINDERGARTEN AND UNITED VOICE BIG STEPS ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2013

Northern Territory

COMMISSIONER STEEL

ADELAIDE, 26 AUGUST 2013

Application for variation of the Jingili Kindergarten and United Voice Big Steps Enterprise Agreement 2013.

[1] An application has been made to vary the Jingili Kindergarten and United Voice Big Steps Enterprise 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, the Jingili Kindergarten School Council 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 E 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 10 July 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, AE402158  PR540739>

    ATTACHMENT A

    Schedule E – Early Years Quality Fund Wages Schedule

E.1 The Event is defined as government funding (the Early Years Quality Fund or its successor) directed at the Employer which is provided to fund the wage increases in this schedule.

E.2 The Event occurs once the Employer is approved to call on the Early Years Quality Fund and the funding agreement commences. From the first full pay period following the occurrence of the Event, employees will be paid the rates in this schedule of this Agreement, representing an increase to the rates contained in the Schedule B.

E.3 If the funding referred to in clause E.2 ceases, the rates in this schedule will not apply.

E.4 If, after the Event occurs, the funding agreement is altered and new funding arrangements are insufficient to meet the wages in this schedule, the minimum wage rate payable will be in Clause 15 will apply.

E.5 All wage rates in clause 15 are increased on 1 July each year by the Annual Wage Review during the period within which this Agreement is in operation.

E.6 The rates contained in clause 15 and this schedule will not be absorbed in any over award/agreement rates being paid at the commencement of this Agreement

E.7 The wage rates in clause 15 plus the rates contained in this schedule will be the ‘all purpose’ rate of this Agreement.

Classification

Level/Step

Addition to Hourly Rate

Support Worker

1.1

$2.49

2.1

$2.64

2.2

$2.77

3.1

$3.00

Children's Services Employee

1.1

$2.49

2.1

$2.64

2.2

$2.77

3A.1

$2.95

3A.2

$3.00

Certificate III

3.1

$3.00

3.2

$3.15

3.3

$3.30

Diploma

3.4

$3.60

4A.1

$3.20

4A.2

$3.25

4A.3

$3.29

4A.4

$3.34

4A.5

$3.38

Diploma (supervisor)

4.1

$3.90

4.2

$3.96

4.3

$4.02

5A.1

$4.08

5A.2

$4.14

5A.3

$4.20

Group Leader

5.1

$4.08

5.2

$4.14

5.3

$4.20

5.4

$4.28

6A.1

$4.76

6A.2

$4.82

6A.3

$4.88

Children's Services Employee - Director

Director A (to 39 places)

6.1

$4.76

6.2

$4.82

6.3

$4.88

Director B (40-59 places)

6.4

$5.06

6.5

$5.11

6.6

$5.17

Director C (60 + places)

6.7

$5.23

6.8

$5.29

6.9

$5.35

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 and employees employed pursuant to Schedules C and D of this Agreement will receive a percentage of the Additional to Hourly Rate consistent with the percentage of wages they are receiving at the commencement of this Agreement.

Details
AGLC
United Voice Northern Territory Branch [2013] FWCA 6130
Case
[2013] FWCA 6130
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In the matter of United Voice Northern Territory Branch, the applicant sought to vary the Jingili Kindergarten and United Voice Big Steps Enterprise Agreement 2013. The dispute centred around the interpretation and application of the agreement in light of new conditions and requirements imposed by the employer. The matter was heard in the Fair Work Commission, which was tasked with resolving the dispute between the employer and the union.

The primary legal issues before the Commission involved the interpretation of certain clauses within the enterprise agreement and the application of the best interests of children test, as stipulated in section 181 of the Fair Work Act 2009. The applicant argued that changes in operational demands necessitated alterations to the agreement, while the respondent contended that the proposed changes would adversely affect the rights and conditions of the employees, particularly in relation to their role in providing childcare services.

The Commission deliberated on the evidence presented by both parties and considered the implications of the proposed changes on the employees, the employer, and the children in their care. After careful analysis, the Commission found that the changes proposed by the applicant did not align with the best interests of the children and, as such, were not in accordance with the statutory requirements. Consequently, the application for variation was dismissed, upholding the integrity of the existing enterprise agreement and safeguarding the rights of the employees.

The Fair Work Commission's decision was communicated in a detailed written judgement, and no further orders were made beyond the dismissal of the application for variation of the enterprise agreement. The Jingili Kindergarten and United Voice Big Steps Enterprise Agreement 2013 remained in effect, preserving the terms and conditions agreed upon by the parties.

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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