On 18/07/2015 13:17, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article om,
dennis@home wrote:
It didn't matter what the relationship with your friends was, there were
closed shops, if the union kicked you out you didn't work.
And yes they did kick people out when they voted against the union
instructions.

Citation, please. And lets have loads of examples. To prove they were at
least common rather than so rare as to be pointless.

Even one case is not pointless unless you are a unionist.


If you earn money, you can't opt out of paying tax or NI etc - much as
many would love to. Of course those who like to pay no tax would still
expect the same benefits of being part of society as everyone else.

Much the same as union membership. If the union negotiates better pay and
or conditions, non members still get the benefit.

On the other hand you get unions demanding sole negotiating rights
making it hard for an individual to go and get more pay if they are
better at the job than the union average.


My union operated what was known as an agency shop. Basically, anyone who
didn't want to be a member for whatever reason (religious or whatever)
could pay the same union subscription to a recognised charity. And only a
handful chose to do so.

Lucky you, shame it wasn't true for everyone.


Other thing with a closed shop in a craft union, is anyone with a ticket
for that grade is going to be at least reasonably competent. Because other
than trainees, you couldn't get the appropriate ticket until you had
completed some time in that position successfully.


Like having to be in a union to be an actor, really skilled and needing
loads of training that job. Don't you recall that closed shop either?