Legal Definitions - union shop

A union shop is a type of workplace where employees are required to be members of a labor union as a condition of their employment. This means that if you work in a union shop, you must join the union or risk losing your job.

For example, let's say you get a job at a factory that is a union shop. You will be required to join the union within a certain number of days, usually 30. If you refuse to join, you could be fired.

It's important to note that the union cannot require you to be a "good standing" member, which means you don't have to do more than pay your dues. This payment of dues is part of a union security agreement.

However, some states have "right-to-work" laws that prohibit union security agreements and union shops. This means that in those states, you cannot be required to join a union as a condition of your employment.