Collective bargaining in the digital platform economy

Abstract

Collective bargaining is a process in which collective negotiation takes place between an employer and groups of employees who are represented by trade unions with conflicting interests seeking to reach an agreement.1 Collective bargaining is ‘collective’ in the sense that it cannot take place on an individual basis between an employer and an individual employee but rather between an employer and groups of employees that are represented by trade unions or trade union federations.2 The collective nature of collective bargaining is only necessary on the side of employees and a single employer can be a party to the bargaining process.3