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 NewsGuild of New York has accused The New York Times of using artificial intelligence technology to monitor and surveil the performance of unionized tech workers in violation of their collective bargaining agreement. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026

As for mental health experts, the NHL and member clubs provide them on retainer as part of the collective bargaining agreement. —Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 5 June 2026

Forté wrote that policies governing standards of care and inmate complaint procedures are already in place, along with processes outlined in the department’s collective bargaining agreement, and argued that several provisions in the ordinance duplicate existing frameworks. —Ben Wheeler june 4, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026

Gould isn’t the first college sports executive to lean into collective bargaining as a viable option. —Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 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