Val,
Michael, Debbie, Eric, et al. have it right, the agreements are with the broker. Independent contractor can accept the brokers terms, go elsewhere or become a broker.

Val - Looks like you got your answer. The Broker owns the business, determines the commission structure, and also owns all the transactions.

absolutely I can.  My agents sign a contract that dictates what they can and can't do while their license is at my brokerage.

Yes.  They can dictate what your commission rate is (or what their minimum allowed rate is).  They are your boss.  I.C. status is just for workers comp, benefits and tax purposes.

Your Broker Runs the show.  I see that everyone else explained why.

Yes, the broker is in charge of setting office policy!

Yes the broker can mandate a tight commission range depending on the service provided. My Broker does not allow agents to discount their services.

It depends on the broker, some will allow you to adjust commission, as long as the broker is getting their % they are usally happy. I never discount my commission though so I've never asked.

They can, but luckily ours doesn't.

Of course because the keyword here is your broker. You work under the authority of the broker unless you have your own company and then you can do whatever you want. Now many brokers give authority to their agents to negotiate commissions as they see fit. 

Interesting, I am a broker, and our company have our terms.

You are an independent contractor but the listing is with your broker 

Yes, my broker makes the rules and I agreed.  She does allow room for us to negotiate with sellers.  

Val Evans Absolutely, all listings belong to the Broker. Agents are required to abide by the Broker's fee policy.

Yes, if it a part of their policy and procedure.  You could charge less; however would still be required to pay the required split.

They can, but they don't. It's my business.

Reference should be made to the independent contractor agreement that was presumably signed when the independent contractor and brokerage entered into a relationship.

When you sign contract with a broker, they usually spell up all terms in there. Terms can be re-negotiated every year. 

What are the terms of the IC Agreement? My office's PP Manual is addenda to it. It outlines circumstances where agents may or may not do a lot of things. It is just like so many things in our biz--'per separate agreement'. ;)

My understanding is the broker is the one who owns the contract thus forth the broker sets the price and terms

Pretty consistant answers here all the way down the line.  Make it a great weekend.  mark

yes, 

Yes.

The brokerage company is the one with the contract with Seller, so yes, they have every right to establish their required minimum commission.

Yes. At least in New Jersey they can.

Yes. Brokers run the show.

Absolutely.

Key word here:  broker.  A seller signs a listing with a broker.  If that is the broker's requirement, the seller will either agree or move on.  Likewise, the agent(independent contractor) chooses to work(or not)  with the broker.  

Brokers typically have an employment contract that dictates conmpany policy that every agent signs.

Every brokerage has their guidelines for what they expect of their agents.  Some may have a restriction on minimum commission.  Ours does not but I always tell our agents, that you should be paid what you are worth.  I am personally worth 6% or more.  

At the end of the 'Danger Report' you will read that several brokerages such as RedFin and Coldwell Banker, who dictate the compensation received by the agents, are being reviewed to reclassify their agents as EMPLOYEES.

It would be beneficial for an agent to know what brokerages ARE NOT on that list and hang their shingle with them.

 UPDATE:

Now it is 5:36 and there have been 18 responses including my own.

Does not those responses make quite clear that the mantra "all real estate professional fees are negotiable' laughable. 

The others have answered the question. The listing belongs to broker.

The broker can establish an office policy on commissions. 

Apparently yes.

Although a broker certainly would not mind if we charged more!

Yes.  They can.  All listings are actually represented by the broker.  You are the "associate" assigned to the listing.

That is why you need a release if you change brokerages.