Union Word of the Month: Collective Bargaining

kəˈlektɪv bɑːɡənɪŋ

A process of negotiation between employers and a group of employees aimed at agreements to regulate working salaries, working conditions, benefits, and other aspects of workers' compensation and rights for workers.

The interests of the employees are commonly represented by elected leaders of one or more unions made up of dues-paying members.

A collective bargaining agreement (CBA) reached by these negotiations functions as a binding contract between the employer and the union(s), and typically establishes terms regarding wage scales, working hours, training, health and safety, overtime, grievance procedures, payroll deductions for dues, and rights to participate in workplace or company affairs.