Legal Definitions - short-form agreement

A short-form agreement is a type of contract, typically found in labor law, where an independent contractor or a smaller business agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of a larger, pre-existing collective bargaining agreement.

This larger agreement is usually negotiated between a labor union and a group of employers or a major employer. By signing a short-form agreement, the smaller entity avoids the need to negotiate a separate, comprehensive labor contract, instead adopting the established industry standards for wages, benefits, working conditions, and dispute resolution.

Here are some examples illustrating how a short-form agreement might be used:

• Construction Project Subcontractor: Imagine a large commercial building project where the general contractor has a collective bargaining agreement with the local carpenters' union. A small, independent carpentry subcontractor wants to bid on a specific framing portion of the project. To ensure all workers on the site adhere to consistent labor standards, the general contractor or the union might require the independent subcontractor to sign a short-form agreement. This agreement would legally bind the subcontractor to follow the wage rates, benefit contributions, safety rules, and other employment terms already established in the main collective bargaining agreement, even though the subcontractor was not part of the original negotiations. This allows the subcontractor to participate in the project while maintaining labor harmony and consistency across the job site.

• Film Production Freelancer: Consider a major film studio that has a comprehensive collective bargaining agreement with a union representing various film crew professionals, such as camera operators, grips, and lighting technicians. For a particular movie shoot, the studio hires a highly specialized freelance visual effects artist who operates as an independent contractor. To ensure all personnel on set, including independent contractors, operate under consistent terms regarding hours, overtime, and safety, the studio might have the freelance artist sign a short-form agreement. This agreement would obligate the artist to comply with the relevant provisions of the studio's collective bargaining agreement, such as specific working hours, break times, and contributions to industry-specific health and pension funds, even if they are not a direct union member. This streamlines the engagement of independent specialists, ensuring they align with the union-negotiated standards that apply to the broader crew.

• Event Staffing Company: A large convention center has a collective bargaining agreement with a union representing its event staff, including ushers, ticket takers, and concession workers. An independent event management company is hired to organize a major trade show at the center and needs to bring in additional temporary staff for the duration of the event. To ensure all workers at the venue, whether directly employed by the center or by the event management company, operate under the same conditions, the event management company might sign a short-form agreement with the union. This agreement commits the company to apply the wage scales, benefits, and working conditions stipulated in the convention center's collective bargaining agreement to its temporary staff working at that specific venue. This prevents discrepancies in labor practices and ensures a consistent standard for all personnel involved in the event.