collective agreement
1
3.5
- noun
- /kəˈlɛktɪv əˈɡrimənt/
- UK
:
convenio colectivo
- The company reached a new collective agreement with the union that improved wages and benefits for all employees.
Examples
-
The arbitration of grievances under collective agreements in Canada bears a general resemblance to that in the United States.
Academic text (1990) -
First, we imposed legislation prohibiting strikes and lockouts during the term of the collective agreement.
Academic text (1996) -
Arguably, there was an article in their collective agreement that related to the matter at hand.
Academic text (1996) -
A collective agreement is limited in the absence of a supportive public policy.
Academic text (1990) -
In Port Arthur, the collective agreement provided that the employer could discharge for proper cause.
Academic text (1990) -
Such agreements make it easier for the employment relationship to conform to local laws and collective agreements that may be applicable.
Academic text (2007) -
More commonly, collective agreements or individual employment contracts may give an employer such a right, either implicitly or expressly.
Academic text (1990) -
The opinion of the labor movement had not changed: work for equality in the labor market should take place within the framework of collective agreements between the labor market organizations, and not be prompted by the state.
Academic text (1991) -
Collective agreements between unions and employers take precedence over legal provisions requiring active measures to further equality.
Academic text (1991) -
Under the terms of the collective agreement, employees are guaranteed a minimum wage and paid overtime.
Synonyms
∞
1.4
A promise made between two or more people, often written
5
2.8
An agreement between workers and their employer that says pay, benefits and work rules
3
3.2
A written contract between workers and the company about pay and working rules
Antonyms
How Official
- Formal
5
2.7
- UK
1
3.5
- Formal
384
3.3
- Formal
∞
1.4
203
3.7
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly and transparently derivable from 'collective' (shared by a group) + 'agreement' (a contract), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer it refers to an agreement involving a group. While the specialized labour/union context may not be fully specified by the words alone, the core compositional sense is clear and cross-linguistically common, making it transparent.
Etymology
Collective agreement comes from a simple image: collective means a group acting together and agreement means a deal. Imagine workers and bosses all signing one paper as one decision — that's why it means 'a contract between an employer and a group of employees'.