Definition

Noun: A formal demand made by a labor union to an employer or management, on behalf of the workers it represents, for an increase in wages or an improvement in wage-related conditions.

Usage

A "wage claim" is a specific term used in labor relations and industrial negotiations. It is the official starting point for collective bargaining over pay. The claim is typically presented by union representatives after consulting with their members.

Examples

• The union submitted a wage claim for a 5% annual increase.
• Management rejected the initial wage claim, calling it unrealistic.
• Negotiations stalled after the wage claim was presented to the board.

Advanced Usage

• To lodge/file/submit a wage claim: These verbs are commonly used to describe the formal act of presenting the demand to management.
  • The union is preparing to lodge its annual wage claim.
• To negotiate a wage claim: Refers to the process of discussion and compromise between union and management.
  • Both sides spent weeks negotiating the wage claim.

Variants and Related Words

• Pay claim: A synonym commonly used, especially in British English.
• Wage demand: A less formal, near-synonymous phrase.
• Collective bargaining: The broader process of negotiation between unions and employers, of which a wage claim is a central part.
• Salary negotiation: Typically refers to individual, not collective, discussions about pay.

Synonyms

• Pay claim
• Pay demand
• Wage demand

Related Phrases

• To settle a wage claim: To reach a final agreement on the demand.
  • They hope to settle the wage claim before the strike deadline.
• To back a wage claim: To support the demand, often used regarding the union members' support for their leaders' position.
  • The workers voted overwhelmingly to back the union's wage claim.

Noun

1. the wage demanded from management for workers by their union representatives