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

The law would be repealed if it is absorbed by a collective bargaining agreement that gives the special education teacher aides equal to or better than a $10,000 pay raise. — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 13 July 2026

This is the next in a series of articles that deal with the upcoming major league baseball collective bargaining agreement negotiations. — Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Rather than implementing the judgment, the city argued the parties’ new collective bargaining agreement superseded parts of the arbitration award because it was negotiated after the arbitrator issued his decision. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026

Though owners are permitted to spend well above the cap, the 2023 collective bargaining agreement has forced teams to manage their finances with more scrutiny. — Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 9 July 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