A closed shop agreement, also known as a union shop agreement, is a labor agreement between employers and a union which requires employees to be union members in order to work in a particular job or workplace. In the UK, closed shop agreements are not currently legal under the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.
The history of closed shop agreements in the UK dates back to the Trade Disputes Act of 1906. This act allowed trade unions to require their members to only work for employers who also recognized the union. However, the Conservative government under Margaret Thatcher passed legislation in the 1980s that abolished closed shop agreements.
Despite being banned in the UK, some industries have attempted to circumvent the ban by implementing similar agreements. For example, in the construction industry, some employers require workers to have a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card in order to work on certain sites. The CSCS card is only obtainable by completing a training course and paying a fee, effectively creating a closed shop arrangement.
The use of closed shop agreements is a controversial topic. Supporters argue that they provide greater job security and bargaining power for employees, as well as promoting solidarity and collective action. Opponents argue that they are discriminatory and restrict individual freedom of choice, as well as potentially leading to union monopolies and inefficiencies.
In the UK, trade unions still hold significant power and influence in many industries, despite the outlawing of closed shop agreements. Employers are still required to recognize unions and engage in collective bargaining, and workers are free to join and participate in unions if they choose to do so.
Overall, while closed shop agreements are no longer legal in the UK, the issue of unionization and collective bargaining remains an important topic in the labor market. As a professional, it is important to be aware of and knowledgeable about current legal and social trends related to labor and employment in order to produce high-quality and relevant content.