What does the term "collective bargaining" refer to?

The term "collective bargaining" refers specifically to the negotiation process between employers and a group of employees, typically represented by a union, aimed at establishing the terms and conditions of employment. This can include discussions regarding wages, hours, working conditions, benefits, and other employment-related matters.

Collective bargaining is a fundamental aspect of labor relations, as it seeks to provide a collective voice for employees when negotiating their rights and terms of employment, contrasting significantly with individual negotiations, where terms are settled one-on-one between an employee and the employer. Additionally, while the term involves discussions around employment matters, it does not pertain to legal dispute resolution processes or government wage regulation, which are separate realms of labor law. Therefore, the correct understanding of collective bargaining encompasses the collaborative efforts between workers and employers to reach a mutually agreed-upon contract that governs workplace standards.