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

The strike comes after a two-day dispute in February over collective bargaining and the use of volunteers at the airport.

From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2026

The California Gig Workers Union is on the cusp of being certified as the collective bargaining representative for Uber and Lyft drivers in the state.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s concurrence suggested a different path forward: Colleges and athletes could resolve compensation questions through collective bargaining or negotiated agreement, as professional football and basketball players do.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 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