How Collective Bargaining Agreements Work

Collective Bargaining Agreements: Cheat Sheet

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The ground rules for the collective bargaining process were established in 1935 with the passing of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).
In the collective bargaining process, the parties don't have to come to an agreement, but they are required by law to negotiate "in good faith" toward that goal.
Unions typically represent workers during the collective bargaining process, but any group of workers can organize themselves -- with or without a union -- and earn the right to collectively bargain under the NLRA.