Employees at Harper Industries have formed a union and are negotiating a union security arrangement. Which option would be most favorable to the union and also be legal?
A) a closed shop, because any employee hired must be a union member
B) an agency shop, because it requires employees to join the union for the length of the contract
C) a union shop, because it requires all employees to join the union within 30 days of their start date with the company
D) maintenance of membership rules, because they require that union members remain at the company
E) free riders, because these let employees benefit from union activities without joining the union

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A union shop requires all employees to join the union within 30 days of their start date with the company. This is the most favorable option for the union because it ensures that all employees will eventually join the union, which strengthens the union's bargaining power. It is also legal, as long as it is permitted by state and federal law. A closed shop (option A) is illegal under federal law, and an agency shop (option B) is not as favorable because employees can opt out of union membership after the initial sign-up period. Maintenance of membership rules (option D) and free riders (option E) are not union security arrangements, but rather terms that refer to union member participation and non-members who benefit from union activities, respectively.

Employees at Harper Industries Have Formed a Union and Are