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

See Examples For:

collective bargaining

And, if owners emerge from collective bargaining with a salary cap or other restraint on the Dodgers’ spending, that would be a win for San Diego.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2026

UAW President Shawn Fain derided the unprecedented offer, calling it an effort to avoid the regular collective bargaining process.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026

The Lakers informed Leonard’s representatives that those requests violated the NBA collective bargaining agreement and Leonard eventually signed with the Clippers, where he played the past seven seasons.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026

But it would also create a federal commission to study the implications of collective bargaining while granting institutions the protection to enforce economic rules collectively.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 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