Joining a trade union
Union negotiations with your employer
When an employer and a union agree to negotiate on pay, terms and conditions, this agreement is called 鈥榬ecognition鈥� of the union. The negotiations are called 鈥榗ollective bargaining鈥�.
How collective bargaining works
Your employer and trade union must agree on how collective bargaining will be done including:
- which union, rep or official will represent a group of workers or employees (this group is called a 鈥榖argaining unit鈥�)
- who is included in the bargaining unit
- how often meetings will take place
- what issues they鈥檒l discuss
- how disagreements will be handled
- how collective bargaining will work if more than one union is recognised
Collective agreements
Agreements reached through collective bargaining are called collective agreements and they often mean a change in your employment terms and conditions.
Collective agreements can cover all staff - not just union members.
Your employment contract may say which collective agreements cover you if:
- your employer recognises more than one trade union
- 1 union is recognised to negotiate for more than 1 bargaining unit