Crossword Genius

Workers in group sadly get meaner pay deal (10,9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

collective agreement

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'workers in group sadly get meaner pay deal' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'get meaner pay deal' is the wordplay.
'get' becomes 'collect' (both can mean to acquire).
'meaner pay' becomes 'ive' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'deal' becomes 'agreement' (I've seen this before).
'collect'+'ive'+'agreement'='COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT'

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I've seen this clue in The Times.
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