Zipper Clause
A CBA provision stating that the contract is the complete agreement and that neither party can demand mid-term bargaining.
Full definition
A Zipper Clause is a contract provision stating that the CBA represents the complete and final agreement between the parties and that neither party has any obligation to bargain on any subject during the contract’s term — even subjects not addressed in the agreement. Zipper clauses are designed to provide stability and prevent endless mid-term bargaining demands. They can, however, limit a union’s ability to demand bargaining over new issues (like the introduction of new technology, surveillance, or workplace policies). Some courts and arbitrators read zipper clauses narrowly, holding that they do not waive the right to bargain over genuinely new and substantial changes.
Related terms
Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)
A legally binding contract negotiated between a union and an employer that governs wages, hours, and conditions of employment.
Management Rights Clause
A CBA provision reserving to the employer all authority not specifically restricted by the contract.
Past Practice
A consistent, long-standing workplace custom that becomes binding even if not written in the CBA.
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