Collective Bargaining
Crystal Hall
Bus 670
Peter McCaan
April 2, 2012, 2012

The International Association of Firefighters was formed in 1918 to unite firefighters for better wages, improved safety, and greater service for their communities. At a time when fire fighters worked seven days a week, had little benefits, and safety meant putting a wet towel over their face before running into flames, the IAFF became the voice of the firefighter, the protector of the protector. It is through collective bargaining that this labor union and the employer are able to negotiate the scope of the employment relationship; in turn, creating a safer working environment as well as a strong foundation for which the labor and management teams can use to strengthen their relationship. Collective bargaining generally includes negotiations between the two parties (employees’ representatives and employer’s representatives). Collective bargaining consists of negotiations between an employer and a group of employees that determine the conditions of employment. Often employees are represented in the bargaining by a union or other labor organization. The result of collective bargaining procedure is called the collective bargaining agreement or CBA. Collective agreements may be in the form of procedural agreements or substantive agreements. Procedural agreements deal with the relationship between workers and management and the procedures to be adopted for resolving individual or group disputes. This will normally include procedures in respect of individual grievances, disputes and discipline. Frequently, procedural agreements are put into the company rule book which provides information on the overall terms and conditions of employment and codes of behavior. A substantive agreement deals with specific issues; such as basic pay, overtime premiums, bonus arrangements, holiday entitlements,