ACCC allows car rental companies to collectively bargain with Mackay Airport

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has not objected to a notification lodged by a group of car rental companies seeking to collectively negotiate with Mackay Airport.

The members of the proposed bargaining group, Hertz, Thrifty, Avis, Budget and Europcar, all currently offer car rental services at Mackay Airport. The bargaining group wishes to collectively bargain with Mackay Airport about the terms and conditions governing their continued operation at the airport.

"Negotiating collectively provides the car rental companies with an opportunity to have greater input into the terms and conditions of contracts for the provision of car rental services at Mackay Airport," ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel said.

"Importantly, the proposed arrangements are voluntary. Mackay Airport is free to choose whether to participate in the arrangements or continue to negotiate with each car rental company individually."

Collective bargaining refers to competitors who collectively negotiate terms and conditions with a supplier or customer and can raise concerns under the competition provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1974.  Businesses can obtain protection from related legal action under the Act by lodging a notification with the ACCC.

Provided the ACCC does not object to the notified arrangements, protection commences 14 days after lodgment. The ACCC will only remove the immunity provided by a collective bargaining notification when satisfied that any public benefits from the arrangements would not outweigh the public detriments.
 
Protection afforded by the notifications lasts for three years. As with any notification, the ACCC may review the notifications at a later stage, should concerns arise.
The ACCC's assessment can be found at www.accc.gov.au/CollectiveBargainingRegister