The VFF Industrial Association is a federally registered organisation registered with Fair Work Australia.
Chaired by Victorian egg farmer Meg Parkinson, the Executive Committee consists of five members, all with valid memberships to the VFF industrial Association. Committee members include:
| Chair | Meg Parkinson |
| Member | Alan Bowman |
| Member | Simone Renyard |
| Member | James Hinton |
| Member | Anton Neal |
The Industrial Association's role is to meet throughout the year to discuss matters pertaining to employment in agriculture, provide industrial services for members and decide on the best action or stance to take in order to achieve the best outcome possible for members.
In today's rapidly changing world farmers cannot afford to not to keep up with the latest industrial relations advice and information. Farm businesses, particularly those that employ labour, need the right human resource management tools to help you make the right decisions.
That's why the VFF Industrial Association offers Workplace Relations Services. Workplace Relations Services is farmer focused industrial advice that is available at minimal cost to all VFF members. It's the most cost effective product of its kind and is designed by agricultural professionals specifically for Victorian farmers.
For only the third of the cost of similar industrial advice products, VFF Workplace Relations Services provides you with the information packed VFF Employment Handbook.
The Employment Handbook provides essential information on the federal Government's new Fair Work Act, Occupational Health & Safety, new modernised Awards, Workers Compensation, Right of Entry and much, much more.
To access a VFF Employment Handbook subscription form, download:
 | VFF Employment Handbook subscription form (698kb) |
As well as helping farming employees directly through the various services offered, the VFF Workplace Services lobby State and Federal Government's regarding potential and existing legislation.
Wages increased by 3.4% for award wage earners – July 1 2011:
Fair Work Australia has handed down its minimum wage decision for 2011. The decision, which follows last year's $26-a-week across-the-board increase, lifts the federal weekly minimum wage by $19.40 to $589.30 ($15.51 an hour) from $569.90 ($15 an hour). This equates to a 3.4% increase across all classification structures of modern awards.
Members are asked to increase all minimum rates in their award classification structures as of July 1 2011.
Members are encouraged to contact VFF Workplace Relations on 1300 88 2833 to discuss their wage matters.
VFF Workplace Services Product:
- Free Unlimited Telephone advice on issues such as wage rates, employment issues, WorkCover and Superannuation.
- Receive the information packed Employment Handbook and all associated updates.
- Assistance with drafting and tailoring workplace agreements
- One hour free professional representation in unfair dismissal applications, award prosecutions and other matters
- Heavily reduced fee on service basis of $150.00 plus GST per hour
- Reduced fees for seminars and training and audits conducted by the VFF
For more information on the Employment Handbook and Workplace Relations Services, call the VFF on 1300 882 833 or click here to download an order form.
VFF Welcomes new FarmSafe Alliance Manager
The VFF has welcomed new FarmSafe Alliance Manager Tim McKenzie, who has been appointed to assist Victorian farmers to maintain safe working environments on their properties.
The new FarmSafe Alliance initiative had been funded by a number of groups including WorkSafe Victoria, the Victorian Department of Primary Industries and the Victorian Department of Health, and would play a key part in informing and educating rural communities about health and safety issues on farms.
Farm safety is an issue of paramount concern and the VFF is pleased to be taking a leading role in the new FarmSafe Alliance, with the Federation appointing Tim McKenzie to the role of FarmSafe Alliance Manager.
Tim joins the VFF from a farming background, having been raised on a dairy farm in Deans Marsh. In his role with the VFF, Tim will take to the road hosting workshops and sessions for farmers and rural communities to learn the latest about health and safety on farms.
Tim enters the role at a time when the number of workplace accidents on farms continues to rise at an alarming rate. With National Farm Safety Week taking place from 18 – 22 July 2011, now is the perfect time for Victorian farmers to take a real look at how they operate their farm businesses, and ensure they are providing a safe working environment for themselves and their employees.
We encourage all farmers to get involved in the FarmSafe Alliance health and safety sessions that will be advertised over the coming months. In addition to community events, the FarmSafety Alliance will be responsible for carrying out farm safety inspections at individual farm businesses.
The VFF’s Workplace Relations department also offers members a range of products and services to assist farmers in understanding and complying with the full range of health and safety measures in Victoria.
Farmers cannot afford to remain complacent when it comes to farm safety. Too many farmers are falling victim to work place accidents and it is up to us, as responsible farmers and businessmen and women, to ensure our farms are kept in safe working condition.
Farmers looking to access further information about health and safety issues on their farm can contact FarmSafe Alliance Manager Tim McKenzie at the VFF on 1300 882 833.
On Monday 18 July Tim McKenzie appeared on 3SN (Swan Hill), 3WM (Horsham), 3HA (Hamilton) and 3CS (Colac). Download his interview below.
| Tim McKenzie interview on 3SN, 3WM, 3HA and 3CS (b) |
