collective-bargaining
UK[kəˈlɛktɪv ˈbɑːɡɪnɪŋ]US[kəˈlɛktɪv ˈbɑːrɡɪnɪŋ]
n
Negotiation of wages and other conditions of employment by an organized body of employees (a trade union) with their employer.
Morpheme Breakdown
collective
bargaining
collective
adjective
bargaining
noun
Etymology
The compound term "collective-bargaining" is a modern legal and economic concept, formed in the late 19th century. Its first element, "collective," derives from the Latin colligere ('to gather together'), implying action taken by a group as a unified entity. The second element, "bargaining," originates from Old French bargaignier ('to haggle'), itself of Germanic origin, referring to the process of negotiation. The term logically combines these ideas to describe the process where a gathered, unified group of workers negotiates terms with their employer, evolving from simple haggling to a formalized system of industrial relations.
Analysis
Structure: collective (adjective) + bargaining (noun)
collective: From Latin collectivus, from collectus (past participle of colligere 'to gather together'), functioning as an adjective meaning 'formed by gathering; joint'.
bargaining: From the verb bargain, of Germanic origin, with the suffix -ing forming a verbal noun, meaning 'the act of negotiating terms'.
Examples
The union entered into collective-bargaining with the company's management.
A new collective-bargaining agreement was ratified by the workers.
The right to collective-bargaining is protected by labor laws in many countries.