What is a union security agreement?

A union security agreement is an agreement between a union and an employer that outlines the conditions under which an employer can require its employees to become or remain members of the union. In Virginia, most employers who have collective bargaining agreements with a labor union are required to sign such an agreement. Union security agreements typically provide for a variety of provisions, including: a closed shop wherein employees must join the union within a certain time frame if they want to keep their employment; an agency shop, where employees do not need to join the union but must pay an agency fee to the union; or a modified shop with some combination of the two. The agreement may also specify how union dues will be collected, how disputes between the parties will be resolved, and how the employer’s non-union employees will be treated. In addition, the agreement may lay out the rights and benefits that are available to union members as well as the restrictions and limitations that they must abide by. Union security agreements are important to ensure that the rights of employees are protected, and that unions and employers can work together to ensure that the working relationship remains productive and beneficial for both parties.

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