What is Collective Bargaining?
What it Means
It is a mutual obligation - both the employer and union must participate.
It covers wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.
It requires meeting at reasonable times and in good faith.
It includes the negotiation of both the contract and any disputes or questions arising under it.
Elements of Good Faith Bargaining
Willingness to Meet and Confer
Show up on time and prepared for scheduled sessions
Intent to Reach an Agreement
Engage in negotiations with a goal of finding common ground
Timely Exchange of Information
Share relevant data needed for meaningful discussion
Reasonable Proposals and Responses
Make and respond to proposals with openness to compromise.
Preserve the Status Quo
No changes to wages, hours, or working conditions during negotiations
Transparency and Documentation
Keep clear records to demonstrate active participation and accountability
Examples of Good Faith Bargaining
Bargaining Activity
(as of 8/25/2025)
Bargaining in Good Faith
Reached Memorandum of Agreement to provide our nurses with the 2025 pay increases and benefits that were provided to non-represented team members earlier this year.
Intent to reach an agreement
Accommodated 6 pm start time for bargaining at Teamsters' request. Also, accommodated Teamsters’ request to return to 8 am start time for bargaining.
Willingness to meet and confer
Accommodated Teamsters’ request to move the September negotiation dates to the 17th and 18th
Willingness to meet and confer
Accommodated Teamsters’ request to bargain at Teamsters’ offices
Willingness to meet and confer
Accommodated Teamsters’ request for additional bargaining dates in November
Willingness to meet and confer
Responding to 40+ requests for information
Timely exchange of information
Entered into two pre-bargaining agreements at the Teamsters' request
Intent to reach an agreement
Collaborated with the Teamsters to schedule 16 dates to bargain June-December (2 of which were canceled by Teamsters)
Willingness to meet and confer
Provided 11 proposals at first bargaining session
Reasonable proposals and responses
Sending the Teamsters numerous questions about the proposals they made following the first session in order to expedite the work at the table during negotiations
- Transparency and documentation
- Intent to reach an agreement
Examples of Good Faith Bargaining
Bargaining Activity
(as of 7/31/2025)
Bargaining in Good Faith
Entered into two pre-bargaining agreements at the Teamsters' request
Intent to reach an agreement
Collaborated with the Teamsters to schedule 16 dates to bargain June-December (2 of which were canceled by Teamsters)
Willingness to meet and confer
Accommodated 6 pm start time for bargaining at Teamsters' request
Willingness to meet and confer
Provided 11 proposals at first bargaining session
Reasonable proposals and responses
Responding to 40+ requests for information
Timely exchange of information
Sending the Teamsters numerous questions about the proposals they made following the first session in order to expedite the work at the table during negotiations
- Transparency and documentation
- Intent to reach an agreement
Examples of Good Faith Bargaining
|
Bargaining Activity (as of 7/31/2025) |
Bargaining in Good Faith |
|
Entered into two pre-bargaining agreements at the Teamsters’ request |
Intent to reach an agreement |
|
Collaborated with the Teamsters to schedule 16 dates to bargain June-December (2 of which were canceled by Teamsters) |
Willingness to meet and confer |
|
Accommodated 6 pm start time for bargaining at Teamsters’ request |
Willingness to meet and confer |
|
Provided 11 proposals at first bargaining session |
Reasonable proposals and responses |
|
Responding to 40+ requests for information |
Timely exchange of information |
|
Sending the Teamsters numerous questions about the proposals they made following the first session in order to expedite the work at the table during negotiations |
– Transparency and documentation |
What it Does NOT Mean
No Duty to Agree
There are NO Guarantees
- No particular provision of a contract is guaranteed
- Overall gain is not guaranteed
- A contract itself is not guaranteed
- The process is likely take a long time. According to Bloomberg Law, it takes an average of 528 days to reach a first contract in health care.
- The only guarantee is what is legally required - the status quo must be preserved for as long as it takes