What best characterizes collective bargaining?

Collective bargaining is best characterized as a statutory right because it is established and protected under labor laws in many countries, including the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) in the United States. This right enables employees, often through their unions, to negotiate with their employers on various aspects of employment, such as wages, hours, and working conditions.

The statutory nature of collective bargaining is significant because it formalizes and provides legal backing to the process, ensuring that both employees and employers engage in negotiations in good faith. This legal framework strengthens the bargaining position of workers and supports their right to organize and advocate for improved workplace conditions.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of collective bargaining. While union responsibility may be involved in the collective bargaining process, it does not fully encompass the statutory rights afforded to employees. An implied contract refers to informal agreements that are not legally binding, which is not applicable to the formalized nature of collective bargaining. The characterization of collective bargaining as an employer responsibility is misleading, as it entails a mutual obligation between both parties to come to the negotiation table and reach an agreement.