Logistics News

Freight brokers gain ACCC carrier bargaining approval

Alliance free to collectively negotiate with transporters for next six years

 

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) grants a group of freight brokers permission to collectively bargain with select carriers until at least December 2026.

The competition watchdog did not object to an application lodged by KIS Transport Australia “to enable it to collectively bargain agreements on behalf of itself, five other freight brokers and future freight brokers that may become members of the group, with freight carriers”.

The ACCC also allows the notification to remain in force for six years as requested by KIS, instead of a default three-year period.

The current members of the collective bargaining group are KIS Transport, Hydra Logistics Solutions Australia, Total Freight Logistic Services, Transfreight Solutions Australia Pty and KIS Corporate.

The freight carriers that the group intends to collectively negotiate with include TNT, Toll Express, Couriers Please, Followmont Transport, Hi-Trans Express, and Northline.


The latest ACCC bulk grain ports monitoring report is available here]


“The ACCC considers the collective bargaining is likely to result in public benefits in the form of transaction cost savings and improved input into contracts by the members of the collective bargaining group, and there is likely to be minimal public detriment,” the watchdog notes.

“By lodging a notification with the ACCC, KIS and the other freight brokers gain legal protection to participate in collective bargaining that may otherwise risk breaching competition laws because it involves joint action by competitors.

“Participation in collective bargaining will be voluntary for the freight brokers and freight carriers.”

The notification remains in force until December 20, 2026 unless it is withdrawn or revoked.

 

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