The Operation of the Closed Shop: The Union and the Individual Worker

Abstract

Public concern has been expressed about how the individual worker is treated under closed-shop arrangements. Much of this disquiet has arisen from particular individual cases.¹ Concern has concentrated on four major areas. First, some have expressed the view that the closed shop is often introduced, and continues to operate, without the support of those working under such arrangments. Second, many argue that the closed shop results in individuals joining a union against their better wishes — a view expressed in 1981 by Norman Tebbit, Secretary of State for Employment:

Unless you can persuade people that the union is good for them, you ought to do something to alter the union. If you are only left with conscription and bullying to get people into the union there is something wrong with the union itself. I abhor all these conscription measures and bullying that go on through such things as the closed shop.²