Section 55: Duration of collective agreement

55. Duration of collective agreement (1) Where a recognised trade union, a group of recognised trade unions, a joint negotiating panel and an employer reach an agreement on the terms and conditions of work and employment, they shall draw up in writing a collective agreement and shall sign it. (2) A collective agreement or any provision thereof shall become effective— (a) on such date as is specified in the agreement; or (b) on the date of the signing of the agreement, where no such date is specified. (3) Subject to subsection (3A) and to any award made under section 56 (5), a collective agreement shall remain in force for a period of not less than 24 months from the date of its coming into force. (3A) Negotiation for the renewal of a collective agreement shall start— (a) not later than 3 months before its expiry; E9A – 33 [Issue 5] Employment Relations Act (b) where the agreement specifies a date for the start of renegotiation, on such date; or (c) where the agreement specifies an event on the occurrence of which renegotiation shall start, on the date on which that event occurs. [S. 55 amended by s. 17 of Act 5 of 2013 w.e.f. 11 June 2013.]