collective agreement
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collective agreement
A contract between employers' associations and trade unions that regulates working conditions such as wages, working hours, and vacation entitlement for a particular industry or company.
Die Lohnerhöhung wurde im neuen Tarifvertrag für die Metallindustrie festgelegt.
The wage increase was set out in the new collective agreement for the metal industry.
The word is made up of 'der Tarif' (a list of prices or wages) and 'der Vertrag' (the contract). So it is literally a contract that regulates the tariffs, meaning wages and salaries.
Im Tarifvertrag sind die Gehälter für alle Angestellten genau festgelegt.
The salaries for all employees are precisely defined in the collective agreement.
A 'Tarifvertrag' (collective agreement) is always concluded between the social partners. These are, on one side, the trade unions (as representatives of the employees) and, on the other side, the employers or employers' associations.
Die Gewerkschaft verhandelt mit den Arbeitgebern über einen neuen Tarifvertrag.
The union is negotiating with the employers about a new collective agreement.
In connection with collective agreements, certain verbs are often used: 'einen Tarifvertrag aushandeln' (to negotiate a collective agreement), 'abschließen' (to conclude/sign), 'kündigen' (to terminate), or 'brechen' (to violate/break).
Nach wochenlangen Streiks wurde endlich ein neuer Tarifvertrag abgeschlossen.
After weeks of strikes, a new collective agreement was finally concluded.
rate / tariff
'der Tarif' and 'der Tarifvertrag' can have very similar meanings in working life. 'Tarifvertrag' is the precise term for the contract between the employer side and a trade union that regulates wages, working hours, and other conditions. 'Tarif' is often used as a short form for this, especially in phrases like 'nach Tarif bezahlt werden' (to be paid according to the collective agreement). The words can be confused because 'Tarif' can also mean a price list or fee model, for example for a mobile phone. In a work context, 'Tarifvertrag' is more precise; 'Tarif' is shorter and often sufficient in everyday language.
Der neue Tarifvertrag regelt auch die Arbeitszeiten am Wochenende.
The new collective agreement also regulates working hours on weekends.
Herr Schmidt wird nach Tarif bezahlt und bekommt deshalb regelmäßig mehr Lohn.
Mr. Schmidt is paid according to the collective agreement and therefore regularly receives higher wages.