Closed Shop, Union Shop, and Agency Shop Agreements are Types of Agreements Between Employers and Unions
Closed shop, union shop, and agency shop agreements all describe agreements between employers and organized labor unions.
Closed Shop Agreements are Illegal in the United States
In a closed shop agreement, the employer agrees that he will only hire employees who are members of the union. If an employee ever leaves the union, the employer must fire the employee. Closed shop agreements are prohibited by national law (called the Taft-Hartley Act) in the United States.
Union Shop Agreements and Agency Shop Agreements Require Employees to Join Unions and/or Pay Dues to the Union
Union shop agreements allow an employer to hire non-union members but require the employee to join the union within a certain amount of time (usually after 30 days). In practice though, employers are not allowed to fire employees who refuse to join the union, provided the employees pay dues and fees to the union. Agency shop agreements require employees who do not join the union to pay dues and fees.
Right to Work Laws Prohibit Union and Agency Shop Agreements
Some states enacted so-called “right-to-work” laws. These laws prohibit both union shop and agency shop agreements. These laws prohibit a person from being required to join a union or to pay union dues and fees.
Get a Civ Pro Quiz Ebook!
101 Civ Pro Questions and Explanations
United States Law: An Introduction for International Students
