ACCC authorises Sunraysia dried vine fruit growers to collectively bargain
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued a final determination authorising* the Victorian Farmers Federation Sunraysia Branch members to collectively bargain the terms and conditions of their contracts with dried vine fruit processors, ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, said today.
"The ACCC considers that collective bargaining by dried vine fruit growers is likely to provide growers with greater input into their contract terms and conditions leading to more efficient outcomes.
"The ACCC believes that the possible anti-competitive effect of the collective bargaining arrangement is limited given the nature of the proposed arrangement, the structure of the industry and the limited size of the collective bargaining group."
Allowing dried vine fruit growers to collectively bargain does not reduce the ability of individual growers to negotiate variations on collectively negotiated contracts. Nor does it restrict individual negotiations between growers and processors who choose not to participate in the collective arrangements.
On 14 November 2007 the ACCC granted interim authorisation to allow collective bargaining to commence between VFF Sunraysia Branch members and processors for the 2008 supply year.
The VFF Sunraysia Branch has advised that since interim authorisation was granted it has had positive discussions with one processor, Clyne Foods, towards developing a collective agreement.
* Authorisation provides immunity from court action for conduct that might otherwise raise concerns under the competition provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1974. Broadly, the ACCC may grant an authorisation when it is satisfied that the public benefit from the conduct outweighs any public detriment. The ACCC conducts a comprehensive public consultation process and issues a draft determination before making a decision to grant or deny authorisation.
