What does the term "closed shop" refer to in labor relations?

The term "closed shop" specifically refers to a workplace that requires all employees to be union members as a condition of employment. This practice ensures that workers must join the union and maintain their membership in order to retain their jobs. The concept of a closed shop is rooted in the broader labor movement, which sought to strengthen the bargaining power of unions by ensuring that all workers in a particular industry or workplace were organized and represented by the same union.

This arrangement is viewed as beneficial to unions because it guarantees a steady membership base, allowing for more effective collective bargaining. It also enhances job security among union members, as the employer is obliged to negotiate terms and conditions of employment with the union rather than with individual workers.

In contrast, a workplace where union membership is optional does not meet the definition of a closed shop, nor do flexible working hours or a company without union representation. These alternatives represent different aspects of labor relations that do not necessarily connect to the compulsory union membership characteristic of a closed shop.