The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued a final decision authorising* Victorian Potato Grower Council members to collectively bargain the terms and conditions of their contracts with potato buyers, including processors and wholesalers, ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, said today.
"The ACCC considers that collective bargaining by potato growers will result in a number of public benefits. In particular, it 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 and the structure of the industry.
"Allowing potato growers to collectively bargain does not reduce the ability of individual growers to negotiate variations on collectively negotiated contracts or to negotiate with a potato buyer on an individual basis outside of the collective arrangement.
"The ACCC considered the VPGC's application under the streamlined process for collective bargaining arrangements," Mr Samuel said. "The ACCC introduced this initiative to enable small businesses to access a simpler and more timely process that also provides greater certainty to eligible applications. Under this process the ACCC undertakes to consider requests for interim authorisation and issue a draft decision within 28 days of receiving an application and to issue a final decision within three months.
"In this case, a draft decision and the request for interim authorisation were considered within one month of the application being lodged. The final determination has been issued two months after receiving the VPGC's application for authorisation. This outcome demonstrates the ACCC's continued commitment to deal with collective bargaining matters quickly."