The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has granted authorisation for owner drivers providing concrete cartage services to collectively bargain with Q-crete.
Q-crete is a Brisbane based concrete supplier that employs the services of 10 owner drivers to deliver concrete. Q-crete also has some employee drivers. However these employee drivers are not part of the proposed collective bargaining group.
"The collective bargaining arrangements are likely to result in transaction cost savings and provide the opportunity for increased owner driver input into contracts," ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel said.
The arrangements are unlikely to restrict competition as they are limited in scope to 10 owner drivers and are voluntary for both the drivers and Q-Crete.
Authorisation provides immunity from court action for conduct that might otherwise raise concerns under the competition provisions of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. Broadly, the ACCC may grant an authorisation when it is satisfied that the public benefit from the conduct outweighs any public detriment.
The ACCC's determination will be available from the ACCC's website, www.accc.gov.au/AuthorisationsRegister