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- Unreported Judgment
[2021] QIRC 3
QUEENSLAND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION
CITATION: | In the termination of the Sunshine Coast Council Salaried Officers Certified Agreement 2017 (No. 3) [2021] QIRC 003 |
PARTIES: | Sunshine Coast Council AND The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia, Queensland Branch, Union of Employees Queensland Services, Industrial Union of Employees |
CASE NO: | CB/2020/89 |
PROCEEDING: | Application for approval to terminate certified agreement after nominal expiry date |
DELIVERED ON: | 5 January 2021 |
HEARING DATE: | 5 January 2021 |
HEARD AT: | Brisbane |
MEMBER: | POWER IC |
ORDER: | The Sunshine Coast Council Salaried Officers Certified Agreement 2017 (No. 3) is terminated. |
CATCHWORDS: | INDUSTRIAL LAW – COLLECTIVE BARGAINING – Requirements for termination – Agreement terminated |
LEGISLATION: | Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld) |
Reasons for Decision
- [1]On 16 December 2020, the Sunshine Coast Council ("the Applicant") has applied to terminate the Sunshine Coast Council Salaried Officers Certified Agreement 2017 (No. 3) ("the Agreement"). It does so pursuant to s 228(1) of the Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld) ("the Act").
- [2]The Agreement nominally expired on 30 June 2020.
- [3]Section 228 of the Act provides:
228 Termination after nominal expiry date
- (1)After the nominal expiry date of a certified agreement or arbitration determination, the following persons may apply to the commission to terminate the agreement or determination—
- (a)the employer;
- (b)a valid majority of the relevant employees;
- (c)an employee organisation to which the agreement or determination applies and that has at least 1 member who is a relevant employee.
- (2)The person who intends to apply to terminate the agreement or determination must give all other persons to whom the agreement or determination applies notice of the intention.
- (3)The commission must approve the termination if, and must refuse to approve the termination unless, satisfied subsection (2) has been complied with and—
- (a)for an agreement or determination that provides that it may be terminated if particular conditions are met—the conditions have been met; or
- (b)for an agreement or determination that does not provide for the way it may be terminated—
- (i)the other parties to the agreement or determination agree to it being terminated; and
- (ii)termination of the agreement or determination is not contrary to the public interest.
- (4)The termination takes effect when the commission’s approval takes effect.
- [4]I have considered the affidavit of Ms. Emma Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of Sunshine Coast Council, filed on 16 December 2020.
- [5]The Agreement does not provide that particular conditions need to be met before it may be terminated.[1]
- [6]I am satisfied that the Applicant has given the requisite notice of their intention to apply to terminate the Agreement.[2]
- [7]I am also satisfied that:
- (a)
- (b)the termination of the Agreement is not contrary to the public interest.[4]
- [8]On 16 December 2020, an application was made by the following parties, pursuant to s 189 of the Act, to certify the Sunshine Coast Council Salaried Officers Certified Agreement 2020 (No. 4):
- Sunshine Coast Council;
- The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia, Queensland Branch, Union of Employees; and
- Queensland Services, Industrial Union of Employees.
- [9]The abovementioned parties and the following employee organisations have agreed to the terms of the Sunshine Coast Council Salaried Officers Certified Agreement 2020 (No. 4) which will replace the Agreement:
- The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia, Queensland Branch, Union of Employees; and
- Queensland Services, Industrial Union of Employees.
- [10]Section 228(4) of the Act provides that termination takes effect when the Commission's approval takes effect.
- [11]I approve the termination of the Sunshine Coast Council Salaried Officers Certified Agreement 2017 (No. 3) with effect from 5 January 2021.
- [12]I make the following order:
The Sunshine Coast Council Salaried Officers Certified Agreement 2017 (No. 3) is terminated.