Collective bargaining is an industrial relations mechanism used in the negotiation process between employers and employees. Collective bargaining restores any unequal bargaining positions between both sides. Collective Bargaining takes place where workers are collectively organized in a trade union which negotiates on their behalf with a management which recognizes the union's right to represent their members. In collective bargaining the union�s interests are collective since the results will affect everyone represented by the union.


Collective bargaining allows employers and employees to reach an agreement in a manner that eases their continuous cooperation and ability to work together in the future. Since everyone involved in the bargaining will continue to engage in daily contact, the disagreements must be settled in a civil manner. Ultimately, collective bargaining involves adjusting the respective positions of both parties in a manner that everyone can live with. The goal of collective bargaining is to reach a collective agreement.


When collectively bargaining, negotiators should try to view themselves as taking steps towards each other, as opposed to walking further away from one another. Various strategies can be implemented towards coming to an agreement. However, if an agreement cannot be reached, both the provincial and federal governments offer mediation or conciliation services.