Glossary

Collective Agreement

A formal agreement between one or more employers and a registered union that covers the rights of employees in the workplace.

Unlike an individual agreement, where the employer and employee negotiate the terms of the agreement, employees are represented by a registered union who use their bargaining power to reach a fair and reasonable agreement on their behalf. Common areas that are negotiated include wages, entitlements, hours and working conditions, to name a few.

Collective agreements must be agreed to in writing and signed by all employers and unions covered by the agreement. An employer can offer individual terms to an employee before or after the date the employee signed the collective agreement.