Also known as a collective agreement, a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is the labour contract between a union representing employees and the employer (management). A CBA sets the terms and conditions of employment, such as:

Collective bargaining agreements are effective for a specified duration stated in the agreement, for example, three years. Unlike regular contracts, the parties' obligations do not end on the expiration of a collective bargaining agreement. Provided that a majority of the bargaining unit employees continues to support the union, union representatives and management must bargain in good faith for a successor collective bargaining agreement, during which time the terms of the expired contract generally continue.

For more information on collective bargaining, see Practice Note, Employment Law in Canada: Overview.