In most union workplaces, one of the first contract demands is exclusivity, where the employer can only hire members. This is referred to as a " closed shop" [1] When a closed shop forms, works have a choice to join or leave. Some places allow non-union workers, but they must pay part of their salary to the union. This is called and "agency shop" [2]

For example, if you become a police officer and do not choose to join the union, you must still pay fees which are spent by the union on political lobbying.

I am generally pro union but think that all unions should be optional to the workers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Closed_shop

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agency_shop

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/free-books/employee-...

Interesting. I believe this would be illegal in my country (Norway). There's often only one union, but membership is entirely voluntary (and you don't have to pay fees if you are not a member). I think the only trade where membership levels is close to 100% is the elevator fitter union which is known to be a very strong and "militant" union.

But I think the main reason why we have higher unionization rate in Europe especially northern Europe/Scandinavia is that the relationship between labour and capital is almost legalized. There's rules in place that dictate when tariffs should be negotiated and how they are negotiated, what kind of leverage the parties can use and when they can use it. In other words, the relationship between labor unions and employer organizations are regulated. Seems to work quite good, but it is a product of history and can probably not be emulated directly somewhere else.

Well, since the Taft-Hartley act of 1947 banned closed shops, I'm not sure that that's really the first of contract demands anymore, at least in the US.

It demands that all members pays a fee to the union, which is essentially the same thing. The big problem is that there can only be one union per workplace in US if at all, so workers have to vote etc. You can't just pick the union fitting yourself best and keep the union as you move between companies, instead USA ties your union to your job like it does everything else. Why tie healthcare, union and a lot of other unrelated things to your job? Doesn't make sense, and as we see unions in USA where they have this nonsense rule are much less popular than unions in Europe where you mostly stick to the same union your entire career.

You’re right, I mixed it up with union shop, which is very similar