The right to self-organization is the right of every worker, free of any interference from the employer or from government, to form or join any legitimate worker's organization, association or union of his or her own choice. Except those classified as managerial or confidential, all employees may form or join unions for purposes of collective bargaining and other legitimate concerted activities. An employee is eligible for membership in an appropriate union on the first day of his or her employment.
Collective Bargaining involves two parties:
1. the representative of the employer
2. a union duly authorized by the majority of the employees within a bargaining unit called exclusive bargaining agent.
2. a union duly authorized by the majority of the employees within a bargaining unit called exclusive bargaining agent.
It is a process where the parties agree:
1. to fix and administer terms and conditions of employment which must not be below the minimum standards fixed by law
2. to set a mechanism for resolving their grievances
2. to set a mechanism for resolving their grievances
The result of collective bargaining is a contract called collective bargaining agreement (CBA). A CBA generally has a term of five years. The provisions of a CBA may be classified as political or economic. Political provisions refer to those refer to those which define the coverage of the CBA and recognize the collective bargaining agent as the exclusive representative of the employees for the term of the CBA. Economic provisions refer to all terms and conditions of employment with a monetary value. Economic provisions have a term of five years but may be renegotiated before the end of the third year of affectivity for the CBA.
