m Phrase coined by SYDNEY & BEATRIC WEBB.

m According to them Collective Bargaining is a

method by which trade unions protected and
improved the conditions of their members working
lives.
m According to Encyclopedia of Social Sciences,
³Collective Bargaining is a process of discussion
and negotiation between two parties one or both
of whom is a group of persons acting in concent.
The resulting bargain is an understanding as to
the terms and conditions under which a continuing
service is to be performed. More specifically,
collective bargaining is a procedure by which
employers & a group of employees agree upon
the conditions of work.´
m It is a group action as opposed to individual action
and is initiated through the representatives of
workers.
m It is flexible and mobile, and not fixed or static.
m It is a two party process.
m It is a continuous process
m It is a dynamic & not static.
m It is industrial democracy at work.
m Collective Bargaining is not a competitive process
but it is essentially complementary process.
m Increase Economic strength of unions & management.
m Establish uniform conditions of employment with a
view to avoiding industrial disputes and maintaining
stable peace in the industry.
m Secure a prompt and a fair redressal of grievances.
m Avoid interruptions in work which follow strikes, go-
slow tactics & similar coercive activities
m Lay down fair rate of wages & norms of working
conditions.
m Achieve an efficient operation of the plant
m Promote stability and prosperity of the industry.
m It provides a solution to the problem of sickness in
industry, and ensure old age pension benefits and
other fringe benefits.
m It provides a flexible means for the adjustment of
wages and employment conditions to economic &
technological changes in the industry, as a result
of which the chances for conflicts are reduced.
m As vehicle of industrial peace, collective
bargaining has no equal.
m A high degree at collective bargaining as
measured in terms of the proportion of workers
covered by collective agreements.
m Qualitative conduct of the parties to collective
bargaining both before a situation warranting
negotiations develops and the methods followed
at the time of arriving at agreements.
m The right priorities assigned to different methods
in the agreement and their changing pattern
overtime.
m A structure of bargaining with emphasis on central
bargaining which is purported to give some order
& stability to labour management relations.
m Two faces:
1. Negotiating the work conditions that become the
collective agreement describing employer-
employee relationship on the job.
2. Interpreting and enforcing the collective
agreement and any conflict arousing out of it
 Environment

Preparation for
Negotiation
Bargaining
Issues
Negotiating

Negotiation Yes
Overcoming
Breakdowns Breakdowns
No
Reaching the
agreement
Ratifying the
Agreement
Administration
Of the agreement
m Careful & advance preparation by employers &
employees.
m Now, sophisticated ways. No shouting &
expression of strong emotions in smoke filled
rooms were frequently the keys to getting one¶s
proposal accepted.
m From management side negotiators are required.
m From employees side the union should collect
information.
m Wage Related Issues
m Supplementary Economic Benefits
m Institutional Issues
m Administrative Issues
m This phase begins with each side presenting its initial
demands.
m Goes on for days until final agreement is reached.
m Before agreement it is a battle of wits, playing on
words & threats of strikes & lockouts.
m Success depends on skills & abilities of negotiators.
m Sometimes done through Arbitration, adjudication,
Union tactics like strikes |& lockouts, Mgmt strategies
like bribing union leaders & political influence.
m Initial agreement signed the two sides usually
return to their respective constituencies to
determine whatever they have informally agreed
upon is acceptable
m Particularly crucial stage of ratification.
m In this union-negotiating term explain & puts the
agreement to union members for vote.
m If voted, it results into formalized contract.
m Signing is not the end of collective bargaining,
rather the beginning of the process.
m Agreement should be implemented according to
the letter & provisions.
m Day-to-day stress of work environment it is not
done
m It is difficult to draw flawless agreement even by
experienced negotiators & lawyers of IR.