What defines a "collective bargaining agreement"?

A collective bargaining agreement is characterized as a contract that outlines the terms and conditions of employment between an employer and a labor union representing employees. This agreement typically includes crucial components such as wages, hours of work, and various working conditions, which are all negotiated to ensure fair treatment and a conducive work environment for employees. It serves as a formalized document that encapsulates the results of negotiations between the two parties, providing a structured framework that governs various aspects of the employer-employee relationship.

The other options do not accurately represent the nature of a collective bargaining agreement. A federal mandate pertains to regulatory requirements that may govern labor practices but does not encapsulate the negotiated nature of agreements between employers and unions. Guidelines for workplace safety regulations and policies on employee benefits and retirement plans, while important to labor relations, do not specifically define the primary focus of a collective bargaining agreement, which is centered on negotiating employment terms through mutual consent.