LEGALLY SPEAKING
The Insulator • June 2026
32
Dedicated to keeping its members at the forefront in their industry
ARE YOU READY TO BARGAIN?
- YOUR “CHECKLIST” -
O
ne of the most important and least 
popular assignments for American 
business is the periodic task of 
negotiating a collective bargaining 
agreement. It is the single most important 
contract signed by a unionized employer and 
yet many times it is negotiated with less care 
than submitting a bid on a small project. For 
most employers, more dollars flow through a 
collective bargaining contract than any other 
type of contract executed on behalf of a company 
at any time. Unfortunately, many contractors 
approach labor relations as if they are presiding 
over their own execution. Business executives 
who take other challenges in stride find sitting at 
the bargaining table one of the most distasteful 
tasks. But, it appears things are changing and 
employers are recognizing that more interest 
and care must be taken 
in preparing for and 
conducting negotiations. 
In 2026, the challenges 
of successfully negotiating a contract have 
dramatically increased due to the current 
labor relations climate – unrealistically high 
employee expectations and excessive monetary 
settlements, worker unrest and more litigious 
unions to name just a few. Moreover, Union 
bargaining teams are now receiving quality 
training and assistance and have become better 
skilled at negotiations. 
For all of these reasons, bargaining teams have 
started preparing earlier than ever before – now 
at least four to six months in advance of contract 
By Bob Dunlevey
CSIA Counsel

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