collective bargaining

noun

: negotiation between an employer and a labor union usually on wages, hours, and working conditions

Examples of collective bargaining in a Sentence

The next round of collective bargaining is scheduled for September.

Recent Examples on the Web

Engelbert's accomplishments include signing a new, richer television contract, a new collective bargaining agreement and added charter flights for teams. — CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026

The other objection, pressed by organized labor, is that collective bargaining should fix all of this. — Lamell J. McMorris, Sportico.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Bankruptcy could also put the district’s collective bargaining agreements at risk and potentially interfere with pension obligations. — Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2026

And next Wednesday, the new collective bargaining agreement kicks in, dropping the maximum contract length from eight years to seven years. — Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

collective bargaining

noun

: discussion between an employer and union representatives over wages, hours, and working conditions

Legal Definition

collective bargaining

noun

: negotiation between an employer and a labor union usually on wages, benefits, hours, and working conditions see also bargaining agent at agent, bargaining unit, Labor Management Relations Act