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

Per the league’s collective bargaining agreement, a two-way contract is a deal that lets a player split time between an NBA team and its G League affiliate while remaining under one contract with the NBA team. —Rahat Huq, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026

First up is collective bargaining, and the possibility of owners shutting down the sport next winter in pursuit of a salary cap. —Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026

If your first career job is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, some of the above, such as performance reviews and layoffs, will be spelled out there. —Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 24 Jan. 2026

The National Women’s Soccer League Players Association filed a grievance claiming that the NWSL’s rejection of the contract violated Rodman’s free agency rights and violated the collective bargaining agreement. —Anne M Peterson, Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1891, 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