collective bargaining

American  

noun

1. the process by which wages, hours, rules, and working conditions are negotiated and agreed upon by a union with an employer for all the employees collectively whom it represents.

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collective bargaining British  

noun

1. negotiation between one or more trade unions and one or more employers or an employers' organization on the incomes and working conditions of the employees

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collective bargaining Cultural  

1. Negotiations by representatives of a group of employees, often a labor union, pertaining to conditions of employment, such as wages and working conditions.

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Etymology

Origin of collective bargaining

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

All this is happening with uncertainty about a possible MLB lockout when the current collective bargaining agreement runs out and not knowing what changes might happen to the draft.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

Finally, the hosts break down the WNBA’s landmark collective bargaining agreement and why Nobel laureate Claudia Goldin was the MVP of the negotiation.

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026

This month, the two sides reached a collective bargaining agreement that gave Women’s National Basketball Association players a nearly 400% raise.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

“Teachers earn 24% more, on average, in states with collective bargaining, and education-support professionals earn 7% more,” the report said.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 9, 2026

After collective bargaining failed, Carnegie shut down its Homestead plant and locked out the union workers.

From "Fannie Never Flinched" by Mary Cronk Farrell