Legal Definitions - closed shop

A closed shop refers to a workplace arrangement where an employer agrees with a labor union to hire and retain only individuals who are already members of that specific union. This means that to even be considered for a job, a person must first be a union member in good standing. This practice is currently illegal in the United States under federal labor law, having been outlawed by the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947.

Here are some examples illustrating what a closed shop arrangement would entail:

• Construction Site (Historical Example): Before 1947, a large construction company had an agreement with the local Carpenters' Union. If the company needed to hire a new carpenter, they would only interview candidates who could prove they were already dues-paying members of that specific Carpenters' Union. Non-union carpenters, no matter how skilled, would not even be considered for employment.

  This illustrates a closed shop because existing union membership was a mandatory prerequisite for being hired for the carpentry position.

• Manufacturing Plant (Historical Example): In a pre-1947 factory that manufactured car parts, the management had a contract with the United Auto Workers (UAW) local. Under this contract, any new employee hired for the assembly line had to present proof of their current UAW membership before they could start work. If an employee's union membership lapsed, they would be terminated.

  This is a closed shop because continuous membership in the UAW was a condition not only for getting the job but also for keeping it.

• Newspaper Publishing (Historical Example): Decades ago, a regional newspaper had an agreement with the Printers' Union. To work as a typesetter or press operator, an individual had to be an active member of the Printers' Union. The newspaper would not accept applications from individuals who were not already unionized.

  This demonstrates a closed shop because the newspaper explicitly required prior union membership as a fundamental condition for employment in those roles.