What is the difference between a union shop and an open shop?
In Washington State, a union shop and open shop refer to different types of labor-management relations. A union shop is a workplace where employees must join the union within a specific period of time after being hired, or pay a fee to remain non-union. This means that all employees in the workplace, even those that don’t want to join the union, must pay union dues or a “service fee” for the services the union provides. An open shop, on the other hand, is a workplace where anyone, union members or not, can work. This type of shop is not legally required to hire union members and does not require workers to pay union dues. Generally, workers who choose not to join the union don’t receive the same benefits or protection as union members, but they also don’t have to pay union dues. The difference between these two labor-management relations can be further understood by looking at the implications each might have on an employee’s wages or benefits. A union shop often has a contract that protects employees from wage erosion or provides them with better benefits, while in an open shop, workers may feel that they’re not receiving a fair wage or the same benefits as union members. In the United States, labor law differs from one state to another; Washington State is one of the few states that allow for both union shop and open shop workplaces. Regardless of which type of workplace an employee chooses, understanding the difference between union shops and open shops can help an employee make better decisions about their job.
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