On average, how long do negotiations typically take, and does it matter if it s the first contract being negotiated?
A. The collective bargaining process is a two-way, give-and-take dynamic and no one side completely controls the process or the outcome. Since contract agreement takes cooperation, compromise and commitment on both sides, there is no way to predict how long a contract negotiation will take. Some labor agreements have been negotiated very quickly — a few months or less — while others have taken much longer. Many factors influence how long contract negotiations take, including the nature of the existing relationship between UC and the union (cordial, respectful, professional, etc.), and the people involved on both sides.
