collective agreement

American  

noun

1. the contract, written or oral, made between an employer or employers and a union on behalf of all the employees represented by the union.

2. the schedule of wages, rules, and working conditions agreed upon.

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collective agreement British  

noun

1. a negotiated agreement, which is not enforceable at law, between an employer and employees' representatives, covering rates of pay or terms and conditions of employment, or both

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Etymology

Origin of collective agreement

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

collective agreement

The union has accused the carmaker of poor working conditions, withholding sick pay and covert redundancies, all enabled by the lack of a collective agreement to protect workers.

From Barron's ● Mar. 5, 2026

IG Metall has accused the carmaker of poor working conditions and covert redundancies, all enabled by the lack of a collective agreement to protect workers -- almost unheard‑of in Germany's automotive industry.

From Barron's ● Mar. 2, 2026

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen agreed to a five-year collective agreement providing increased wages and more flexible hours, the Calgary, Alberta, rail company said Thursday.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 13, 2025

Whately asked the minister whether there was "collective agreement" on the plans, with Kendall responding that the shadow secretary would have to "show a little patience".

From BBC ● Mar. 18, 2025

In this field a beginning had been made in 1886 when the coal operators and the union entered into a collective agreement.

From A History of Trade Unionism in the United States by Perlman, Selig