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

This is a failure that Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) must confront directly, especially as both are in the midst of renegotiating their collective bargaining agreement. — Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

The film also highlights how dramatically the WNBA’s approach to motherhood has evolved, particularly following the landmark 2020 collective bargaining agreement, which expanded maternity and family-planning benefits for players. — Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Ay said Öz İplik-İş held joint calls with H&M Group and Inditex to remind them of their obligations under their global framework agreements with IndustriALL Global Union, including respect for freedom of association and collective bargaining. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 5 Aug. 2026

In a union election counted Friday, July 31, voters in ABC News Digital’s approximately 50-member bargaining unit voted unanimously to be represented by the WGAE for the purposes of collective bargaining. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 5 Aug. 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