Open shop

An open shop is a place of employment where union membership is not a condition of hiring or continued employment. Employees in an open shop are not required to join a labor union or pay union dues, even if a union is present and represents other employees in the workplace.

In an open shop, employees have the right to choose whether or not to become union members and participate in union activities. This contrasts with a closed shop (illegal in the United States under federal law), where union membership is a prerequisite for employment, and a union shop, where employees are required to join the union within a specified period after being hired. Open shops are often advocated by those who believe in individual freedom of choice and the right to work without being compelled to join an organization.

The legality and prevalence of open shops vary depending on jurisdiction. In the United States, "right-to-work" laws, enacted at the state level, prohibit agreements between employers and labor unions that require employees to join a union or pay union dues as a condition of employment, effectively establishing open shop environments in those states.

Arguments in favor of open shops often center on individual liberty, employee choice, and competition among workers. Conversely, arguments against open shops often focus on the potential for free-riding (where non-union members benefit from union-negotiated wages and benefits without contributing to the cost of union representation), the weakening of unions' bargaining power, and the potential for downward pressure on wages and working conditions.