Kinds of Union Security Agreement
A union security agreement is a contract negotiated between the management and a labor union that spells out the union`s rights and responsibilities in representing workers. It also outlines the rights and responsibilities of the management in dealing with the union. There are different kinds of union security agreements, and each has its own unique clauses.
1. Closed Shop Agreement:
A closed shop agreement requires that employees join and maintain membership in the union as a condition of employment. If an employee does not join the union, they cannot work for the company. This type of agreement is not common in the United States, and it is considered a violation of Federal Labor Law.
2. Union Shop Agreement:
A union shop agreement requires that all employees must join the union within a certain amount of time after hiring. The employees who do not join the union can still work, but they are required to pay an agency fee to the union. The agency fee is typically less than the union dues and is used to cover the cost of collective bargaining expenses.
3. Agency Shop Agreement:
An agency shop agreement requires employees to pay an agency fee to the union, even if they choose not to join the union. The agency fee is typically less than the union dues and is used to cover the cost of collective bargaining expenses.
4. Maintenance Shop Agreement:
A maintenance shop agreement requires that employees who are already members of the union must maintain their membership as a condition of employment. New employees are not required to join the union but must pay an agency fee to the union.
5. Modified Union Shop Agreement:
A modified union shop agreement is a hybrid of the union shop agreement and the agency shop agreement. It requires that all employees join the union but allows for a provision that states that non-union members do not have to pay full union dues.
In conclusion, union security agreements define the terms of employment between labor unions and employers. The type of agreement depends on the needs of the union and the employer. It is essential for employers and unions to negotiate the terms of the agreement carefully to ensure that it is fair and legally compliant.
