A union shop requires all employees of a unionized company to become members of the union, while in right-to-work states, union membership is optional. The union shop clause can require payment of dues even if an employee chooses not to join the union. The purpose of a union shop is to increase the union’s bargaining power. The concept was formed as a compromise between changing laws and the needs of unions. As of 2009, 28 states had union shop policies, while 22 had right-to-work policies.
A union shop is a situation where everyone employed by a unionized company must become members of that union. This happens when a company has entered into a collective bargaining agreement negotiated by a union in a state where union bargaining is legal. While a company may hire non-union people for the job, it is understood that those people will join the union as a condition of their employment. In places where union membership is optional, it is referred to as the right to work. In other words, all individuals have the right to work there regardless of their union membership.
The union shop clause which requires all workers to join the union is also known as the union safety clause. Those who do union work must join the union, whether or not they agree with that union’s principles within 30 days of being hired. The other option that employees have is not to join the union, but still pay the union an amount equal to the dues. While they do not have to participate in union activities, they must pay money and abide by any labor agreements, as well as participate in any strikes. Most in this situation decide to join, simply because they have at least the right to vote.
The main purpose of a union shop is to strengthen the collective bargaining position, if nothing else, simply by increasing the numbers and raising money through dues. It is based on the theory that the more numbers the union has, the more influence it has. This should give the union a greater advantage when it comes to negotiating during the collective bargaining process.
The union store concept has been used since the mid-20th century. It was then that the Taft-Hartley Act outlawed the shuttered shop. Under closed shop rules, an individual had to be a union member before they could be hired for union work. In some cases, this made finding employees difficult, as most union members already had jobs. When outlawed, the union shop concept was formed as a compromise between changing laws and the needs of unions.
Until 2009, the split between union shop states and states operating under the right to work policy was somewhat even. Union shop policies were in 28 states and 22 states were entitled to work. Union shop states say they have better conditions for workers and are able to provide better benefits. States entitled to labor policies counter this argument by claiming that they are able to quickly attract new jobs and businesses and more easily adapt to changing needs.
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