FAQ – What is Collective Bargaining?

The goal of collective bargaining is to create a collective bargaining agreement – a legally binding written contract that governs the terms and conditions of employment for a unit of unionized workers. A collective agreement contract is usually effective for three to four years, as it nears the end it’s time to start negotiating a new contract.

Collective bargaining is the process by which a collective agreement is negotiated.  The process begins at Local meetings where members decide and vote on what they would like to see in their contract.  Then, it involves a series of meetings between union representatives and the employer.  It is a process of negotiation between the two parties which involves a series of give-and-take to resolve an issue in a way that both parties find acceptable.

The length of the process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, it really varies depending on the groups involved and what’s being negotiated.

Once a proposed agreement is reached, members vote on whether or not to accept it. If it is not accepted by the membership, representatives go back to the bargaining table to continue negotiations.

In some cases, it is difficult to reach an agreement and the issues have to go to arbitration or mediation. In others, strike action is necessary.