Trade unions and employers discuss their combined agreements through the process known as collecting bargaining
. Collective bargains are used to negotiate and lay down the terms and conditions' for employment of workers. Basically, collective bargaining is an agreement between the employees and their employer.
Purpose of Collective Bargaining: - Collective bargaining is used to come to a collective agreement for the following purpose.
1) Working hours for employees
2) Employee pay
3) Trainings
4) Rights in terms of participation in company affairs
The agreement is nothing but a labor contract between the management and one or more trade unions. A collective employment agreement (CEA) or collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is the conclusion of the discussion between the two parties.
The dimensions associated with the process of collective bargaining form the bargaining structure. There are many elements within this bargaining structure. Some of the important elements are as follows:
Coverage: This refers to the percentage of the number of employees which are covered by the agreements.
Level: This refers to the level at which the bargaining is done. It may be single employee, multiple employers, local, regional, sector-wise, national or even international.
Scope: This refers to the variety of topics covered under the agreement.
Depth or Extent: This refers to the depth of an agreement (extent to which the agreements are discussed, reviewed and implemented jointly).
Universal Declaration of Human Rights has an article (article # 23) which defines the capability to organize trade unions. This article emphasizes the claim of collective bargaining and organizing trade unions as a fundamental human right. Declaration on Fundamental Principles' and Rights at Work' through International Labor Organization defines collective bargaining and freedom of association as a crucial right of the employees.
Collective bargaining gives a chance to employees to discuss and negotiate their basic needs in a work environment. It helps them to make way for workplace democracy which in turn boasts the rule of law at the workplace. Collective bargaining gives the employees a sense of self governance, dignity and a way to influence their work and the workplace.