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

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

"There will be no final decision until a collective agreement has been reached with worker representatives and approved by the French authorities," Ubisoft said.

From Barron's • Jan. 26, 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

But Sir Jeffrey used his experience, his heritage, his political capital to cajole his colleagues to collective agreement.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2024

And closely connected with this function of controlling the arms trade is another great necessity of Africa under "tutelage," and that is the necessity of a common collective agreement not to demoralize the native population.

From In the Fourth Year Anticipations of a World Peace by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)