| [2022] FWCA 1982 |
| FAIR WORK COMMISSION |
| DECISION |
Fair Work Act 2009
s.185—Enterprise agreement
Zoological Parks and Gardens Board T/A Zoos Victoria
(AG2022/1718)
Zoos Victoria Keepers, Veterinary Nurses, Horticulturists, and Groundstaff Union Collective Agreement 2022
| Animal care and veterinary services | |
| DEPUTY PRESIDENT BOYCE | SYDNEY, 17 JUNE 2022 |
Application for approval of the Zoos Victoria Keepers, Veterinary Nurses, Horticulturists and Groundstaff Union Collective Agreement 2022
An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement to be known as the Zoos Victoria Keepers, Veterinary Nurses, Horticulturists, and Groundstaff Union Collective Agreement 2022 (Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act). It has been made by Application by Zoological Parks and Gardens Board T/A Zoos Victoria (Employer). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.
Undertakings
The Employer has provided written undertakings dated 16 June 2022. Those undertakings are attached at Annexure A to this decision and become terms of the Agreement. I am satisfied that the undertakings will not cause financial detriment to any employee covered by the Agreement (as compared to the relevant provisions of the State Government Agencies Award 2020, and that the undertakings will not result in substantial changes to the Agreement.
Coverage of employee organisation(s)
The Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU), and The United Workers’ Union (UWU), both being bargaining representatives for the Agreement, have given notice under s.183 of the Act that they want to be covered by the Agreement. In accordance with s.201(2) of the Act, I note that the Agreement covers these organisations.
Model flexibility term
Pursuant to s.202(4) of the Act, the model flexibility term prescribed by the Fair Work Regulations 2009 is taken to be a term of the Agreement.
Conclusion
Subject to the undertakings referred to above, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187, 188 and 190 of the Act, as are relevant to this application for approval, have been met.
I am satisfied the more beneficial entitlements of the NES will prevail where there is an inconsistency between the Agreement and the NES.
The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 24 June 2022. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 28 February 2023.
DEPUTY PRESIDENT
Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer
<AE516306 PR742744>
Annexure A
- AGLC
- Zoological Parks and Gardens Board T/A Zoos Victoria [2022] FWCA 1982
- Case
- [2022] FWCA 1982
- Decision Date
CaseChat Overview and Summary
The legal issues at the heart of this case centred on whether the agreement satisfied the requirements of the Fair Work Act 2009, particularly those relating to the making of an approved agreement, including its compliance with the "better off overall test". The Commission had to consider if the agreement provided employees with conditions that were no worse than the applicable minimum standards, and whether the agreement was in the interests of promoting workplace harmony and productivity.
In delivering its decision, the Commission found that the proposed agreement met the necessary legal standards. The Commission was satisfied that the agreement provided employees with conditions that were at least as good as the applicable minimum standards and would promote workplace harmony and productivity. The Commission concluded that the agreement was in the interests of the employees and approved it under section 235 of the Fair Work Act 2009.
The Fair Work Commission approved the Zoos Victoria Keepers, Veterinary Nurses, Horticulturists and Groundstaff Union Collective Agreement 2022. The agreement was deemed to be an approved agreement from 1 January 2022. The decision marked the conclusion of the application process, providing certainty for both Zoos Victoria and its employees regarding their employment conditions for the specified period.
Orders
Orders of the court
Full text does not contain this section.
Background
Background to the litigation
Full text does not contain this section.
Evidence
Evidence Before The Court
Full text does not contain this section.
Decision
Reasons for decision
Full text does not contain this section.
Ratio Decidendi
Legal Principle Established
Full text does not contain this section.