Collective Bargaining means a group of workers coming together to discuss matters which relate to their Conditions of employment. In an effort to effectively address these issues workers Organise themselves into a union so they can raise and resolve issues at Local level.
When the employer refuses to recognise the workers chosen trade union, a case is referred for conciliation to the Workplace Relations Commission and ultimately a case is made to the Labour Court for recognition of workers’ negotiation and representation rights under the constitution.
The Labour Court will recommend that the parties should Engage with each other, with the aim of achieving a Collective agreement through the workers Trade Union and the employer to Improve the Value of Employee benefits including wages thereby levelling up the Balance of economic power.
The Agreement will contain individual workers’ rights and General policy and procedures covering a range of issues. A collective agreement will also provide for Adequate wages commensurate with those in the Industry and Negotiated in comparable unionised sites. The agreement will also seek to harmonise Industrial Relations and incorporate National legislation while providing Greater worker involvement for developing workplace practices.