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

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

Boeing BA -0.42%decrease; down pointing triangle engineers and technical workers rejected the jetmaker’s proposal for four-year collective bargaining agreements.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 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