Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

closed-shop

noun

/kloʊzd ʃɒp/

Definition

A closed shop is a workplace where employment is conditional on being a member of a specific union.

Examples

In a closed-shop arrangement, workers must join the union before they can be hired.
The company decided to maintain a closed shop to ensure all employees were part of the same union.
Closed-shop policies can sometimes lead to conflicts with management over hiring practices.

Meaning

The term refers to a business or factory that only employs workers who are part of a particular labor union, restricting the job opportunities to union members.