union security agreement

A union security agreement is an agreement between a labor union and an employer that the employer will require all employees to undertake a specified level of support for the union as a condition of employment.

This level of support compels employees to become members of the labor union before a certain period of time, generally 30 days, has lapsed, as well as make certain payments or “agency fees” to the union and initiation fees as a condition of getting or keeping the job.

“Right-to-work” laws prohibit and invalidate union security agreements and union shops.

[Last reviewed in April of 2025 by the Wex Definitions Team ]

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