CBA
Abbreviation with 3 meanings
| Stands for | Collective bargaining agreement |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 3 |
| Categories | Business & Finance, Texting & Internet Slang |
CBA has three meanings. The most common are Collective bargaining agreement (human resources) and Can't be arsed (texting and chat); it can also stand for Cost-benefit analysis.
Meanings of CBA at a glance
| # | CBA stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Collective bargaining agreement | Business & Finance › Human Resources |
| 2 | Can't be arsed | Texting & Internet Slang › Texting and Chat |
| 3 | Cost-benefit analysis | Business & Finance › Economics |
1. Collective bargaining agreement
Business & Finance · Human Resources Abbreviations
Written contract between an employer and a union setting wages, hours, benefits, seniority rules, discipline procedures and grievance processes for the employees the union represents. It typically runs for a fixed term of several years.
Example: Overtime is assigned by seniority under Article 12 of the CBA.
In the US private sector, collective bargaining is governed by the National Labor Relations Act of 1935. Most agreements end disputes through a grievance procedure culminating in binding arbitration, and many include no-strike clauses. In finance and economics, CBA usually means cost-benefit analysis.
2. Can't be arsed
Texting & Internet Slang · Texting and Chat Abbreviations
British and Irish slang meaning the writer cannot be bothered to do something, usually about chores, plans or effort. It conveys laziness or apathy in a self-mocking, humorous way.
Example: Was going to cook but cba, ordering a takeaway instead.
"Arsed" is mild British vulgarity, so the phrase is casual and slightly rude; some users read CBA as "can't be bothered" to keep it clean. Rare in American English, where "don't feel like it" is the usual equivalent. Also used as an adjective, as in "feeling very cba today." Not for professional messages.
3. Cost-benefit analysis
Business & Finance · Economics Abbreviations
Systematic method for comparing the total expected costs of a project or policy with its total expected benefits, expressed in money terms and discounted to present value. Governments use it to evaluate regulations, infrastructure and public programs.
Example: The CBA found the rail link would deliver $1.60 of benefits for every dollar spent.
In the US, major federal regulations have required cost-benefit review under executive orders dating back to 1981, with OMB Circular A-4 guiding the method. Valuing non-market effects, such as lives or travel time saved, is the most contested part. In labor relations, CBA means collective bargaining agreement.
Related abbreviations
More human resources abbreviations
- BIK – Benefit in kind
- C&B – Compensation and benefits
- C2C – Corp-to-corp
- C2H – Contract-to-hire
- CIPD – Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
- COBRA – Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
- CPH – Cost per hire
- CTC – Cost to company
See all 86 human resources abbreviations →