Introduction to “Imagining U.S. Labor Relations without Union Security”

Excerpt

In the United States, union security is defined as an arrangement in which a labor organization may require employees to join the labor union and/or force employees to pay dues or fees to the organization for contract negotiation and administration. Union security clauses are contained in collective bargaining agreements which are negotiated between unions and employers. Unions prefer to negotiate either union shop security clauses, which requires that all employees are required to join the union after a probationary period if they wish to retain their employment with the employer, or an agency shop clause, which compels employees to tender a fee for collective bargaining services provided by the union if they choose not to become union members. Since the labor union is required to negotiate wages, benefits and working conditions as well as enforce the collective bargaining agreement on behalf of all employees, the purpose behind union security is to prevent employees from becoming “free-riders,” that is from having employees benefit from union representation without providing any financial support for the services received. …