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 comes right on the heels of the Celtics winning the 2024 NBA championship, but Jayson Tatum's Achilles tear and a brutal collective bargaining agreement has forced Boston to trim a ton of salary. —Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025

Finally, the Second Circuit stated that there was no conflict with its prior decision in the Brady case because that arbitration mechanism was pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and NFL Players Association. —Chris Deubert, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025

Improved metrics have fueled ongoing debates over play as the league continues to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement with the players’ union. —Matt Moret, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025

This won’t happen until the league’s collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Player’s Association expires, after the 2030 season. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Aug. 2025

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