What is the primary purpose of collective bargaining?

The primary purpose of collective bargaining is to negotiate employment terms between workers and employers. This process involves discussions aimed at reaching agreements on various aspects of employment, such as wages, working conditions, benefits, and job security. By bringing together representatives of employees, typically through labor unions, and employers, collective bargaining serves to facilitate a dialogue that helps ensure that workers' rights and interests are represented and protected in the workplace.

Collective bargaining is crucial because it empowers workers to engage in negotiations with their employers as a unified group rather than as individuals, which can significantly enhance their bargaining power. This collaborative approach can lead to fairer working conditions and improved terms of employment, allowing for a more balanced relationship between labor and management.

In the context of the other choices, while arbitration can be a tool used during dispute resolution, it is not the fundamental aim of collective bargaining. Creating new labor laws is generally the role of legislative bodies rather than a function of bargaining between employers and employees. Lastly, while establishing guidelines for workplace behavior is important, it typically falls under the broader agreements reached through collective bargaining rather than being the primary objective itself.