"Collective bargaining is a process of negotiation between employers and a group of employees aimed at agreements to regulate working salaries, working conditions, benefits, and other aspects of workers' compensation and rights for workers. The interests of the employees are commonly presented by representatives of a trade union to which the employees belong."
This subfield examines how workers and employers negotiate employment contracts, wage agreements, and collective bargaining agreements.
Labor laws: Understanding the laws that regulate employment and labor contracts is crucial. This covers laws related to wages, hours of work, employment discrimination, disability accommodation, and civil rights.
Labor economics: In order to understand labor contracts, it is important to have a basic understanding of labor economics: Supply and demand, price elasticity, and other economic concepts can give a solid foundation.
Collective bargaining: The primary tool for setting labor contracts, collective bargaining involves negotiations between employers and labor unions on behalf of employees.
Labor unions: These organizations represent employees in collective bargaining: Understanding their history, structure, and operation is important.
Contract negotiations: Negotiating a labor contract requires skill and knowledge. Understanding the strategies and tactics involved in negotiations can help you reach a successful conclusion.
Wages: Understanding how wages are set and the various factors that determine them is vital in creating an equitable labor contract.
Hours of work: From shift work to overtime compensation, it is important to understand the rules surrounding hours of work in a labor contract.
Benefits: Health insurance, retirement savings, and other benefits are often negotiated as part of a labor contract. Understanding what benefits are typically offered and how they are structured can help in creating an attractive offer.
Grievance procedures: A grievance procedure outlines how disputes between employees and employers will be addressed. Understanding the procedures for grievances and disputes, as well as how they are resolved when they arise, is essential.
Legal remedies: Even with a well-negotiated contract, disputes may arise. Knowing the legal remedies available to resolve these conflicts is important for protecting the rights of both employees and employers.
International labor laws: Understanding the regulations surrounding employment and labor contracts in other countries is important for global businesses or contracts that involve foreign workers.
Labor market dynamics: Economic conditions, industry trends, and workforce demographics can affect the terms of a labor contract. Understanding these dynamics can help you negotiate and structure an effective contract.
Employment contracts: While labor contracts govern the relationship between employers and workers, employment contracts outline the terms and conditions specific to one employee. Knowing the differences between these two types of contracts is crucial.
Working conditions: Safety and health concerns, including workplace hazards, are important considerations for a labor contract.
Employee leave and time off: Understanding the various types of leave, including vacation, sick time, and parental leave, as well as how they are usually resolved in a labor contract.
Fixed-term contract: A type of employment contract that has a specific end date. The employee will work for the employer for a fixed period, which could be months or years.
Indefinite-term contract: This is a type of employment contract that does not have a specific end date. The employee works for the employer until the contract is terminated.
Part-time contract: A type of employment contract where the employee works for fewer hours than a full-time employee. The employee usually receives fewer benefits and earns less than full-time employees.
Temporary contract: A type of employment contract where the employee is employed for a short period of time or during a specific project or event.
Unionized contract: A type of employment contract that is negotiated by a labor union on behalf of the employees. The union and the employer come to an agreement on wages, benefits, and working conditions.
Collective bargaining agreement: A type of contract that is negotiated between the employer and a labor union that represents the employees. The agreement covers all the terms and conditions of employment, including wages, benefits, and working conditions.
Open shop contract: A type of employment contract where employees are not required to join a union to keep their job. The employer cannot discriminate against employees who do not belong to a union.
Closed shop contract: A type of employment contract where employees must join a union to work for the employer. The employer can only hire employees who are members of the union.
Cost-of-living contract: A type of employment contract where wages are adjusted periodically to keep up with the cost of living.
Performance-based contract: A type of employment contract where wages and other benefits are tied to the employee's performance. The better the employee performs, the more they are paid.
"A collective agreement reached by these negotiations functions as a labour contract between an employer and one or more unions, and typically establishes terms regarding wage scales, working hours, training, health and safety, overtime, grievance mechanisms, and rights to participate in workplace or company affairs."
"Such agreements can also include 'productivity bargaining' in which workers agree to changes to working practices in return for higher pay or greater job security."
"The union may negotiate with a single employer (who is typically representing a company's shareholders) or may negotiate with a group of businesses, depending on the country, to reach an industry-wide agreement."
"Collective bargaining consists of the process of negotiation between representatives of a union and employers (generally represented by management, or, in some countries such as Austria, Sweden, and the Netherlands, by an employers' organization) in respect of the terms and conditions of employment of employees..."
"...such as wages, hours of work, working conditions, grievance procedures, and about the rights and responsibilities of trade unions."
"The parties often refer to the result of the negotiation as a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) or as a collective employment agreement (CEA)."
"The interests of the employees are commonly presented by representatives of a trade union to which the employees belong."
"...agreements to regulate working salaries, working conditions, benefits, and other aspects of workers' compensation and rights for workers."
"...establishes terms regarding wage scales, working hours, training, health and safety, overtime, grievance mechanisms, and rights to participate in workplace or company affairs."
"Such agreements can also include 'productivity bargaining' in which workers agree to changes to working practices in return for higher pay or greater job security."
"...in some countries such as Austria, Sweden, and the Netherlands, by an employers' organization."
"...grievance procedures, and about the rights and responsibilities of trade unions."
"A collective agreement reached by these negotiations functions as a labour contract between an employer and one or more unions..."
"...establishes terms regarding... health and safety..."
"...establishes terms regarding... rights to participate in workplace or company affairs."
"...workers agree to changes to working practices in return for higher pay or greater job security."
"...typically establishes terms regarding wage scales, working hours..."
"Collective bargaining consists of the process of negotiation between representatives of a union and employers..."
"The parties often refer to the result of the negotiation as a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) or as a collective employment agreement (CEA)."