The Concept Of Collective Bargaining

The conflict between the management and the employee is inherent in an industrial society. One argues for more investment and profits while the other argues for better standard of living. These two conflicting interests can be adjusted temporarily through the principle of "give and take"; the principle of give and take has been infused in the principle of collective bargaining.

The phrase "collective bargaining" was coined by British labor reformers Sidney and Beatrice Webb of Great Britain which was the “home of collective bargaining” in the 1890’s. The idea of collective bargaining emerged as a result of industrial conflict and growth of trade union movement and was first given currency in the United States by Samuel Crompers. In India

In fact keeping in view the change in the society with its fast changing social norms the scope and content of collective also varies from country to country. Nevertheless, Collective bargaining has been defined by different experts in different ways. It is treated as a method by which problem of wages and conditions of employment are resolved peacefully and voluntarily between labour and management.

This chapter deals with the various definitions of collective bargaining which will be helpful in understanding the concept of collective bargaining, its ambit and scope as has been coined by various writers.

According to K. Alexander

“Collective bargaining is a process of bargaining between the employers and their workers by which they settle their disputes among themselves relating to employment or non-employment or terms of employment or conditions of labour of the workmen, on the strength of the sanctions available to each side. Occasionally such bargaining results in amicable settlement arrived at voluntarily and peaceful between the parties. But quite often the workers and the employers have to apply sanctions by resorting to the weapons of strikes and lock-outs to pressurize one another which makes both the sides aware of the strength of one another and that finally forces each to arrive at a settlement in the mutual interests. It is thus the strength of the parties which determines

Nor is it merely democratic government in industry. It is above all technique. Collective bargaining as a technique of the rise of a new class is quite different, from the desire to displace or "abolish" the "old ruling class", to gain equal rights as a class, to acquire an exclusive jurisdiction in that sphere where the most immediate interests, both material and spiritual, are determined. And a shared jurisdiction with the older class or classes in all other spheres."

The best justification for collective bargaining is that it is a system based on bipartite agreements, as such superior to any agreement involving third party intervention in matters which essentially concern employers and workers.

In Encyclopedia of Social Sciences, collective Bargaining has been defined a process of discussion and negotiations between two parties, one or both of whom is a group of persons acting in concert. The resulting bargain is an understanding as to terms and conditions under which a continuing service is to be performed. More especially, collective bargaining is the procedure by which an employer or employers and a group of employees agree upon the conditions of work.

In the words of John T Dunlop, “Collective Bargaining