[s1artibartfast]

Thank you for the correction, I misremembered the definitions

27 states are "right-to-work" states [1] The remaining 23 allow "Union Security Agreements" between employers and unions where all employees are required to be members. [2] The 23 states without right-to-work allow agency fees. However, these 23 states also allow "union shops", where non-membership is not an option, so everyone can be charged for political activates.

Another big change since I last looked is that the US supreme court struck down agency fees for all government employees in 2018, including the 23 states.

[1] https://www.ncsl.org/research/labor-and-employment/right-to-... [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_security_agreement

[pseudalopex]

Union shop is illegal federally. Some people say union shop when they mean agency shop though. The Wikipedia article says agency shop is a form of union security agreement.

[s1artibartfast]

Are you sure you aren't thinking of a closed shop?

My understanding is that closed shops where you need membership to apply are illegal, but union shops (post-entry closed shops) are legal in states without right-to-work.[1]

That said, I was wrong before and may be wrong again. It is really hard to understand the specifics of union law as many sources are sloppy with their terms and there are state-to-state differences?

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/what-is-an-agency-shop-vs-...

PS, I really appreciate your use of "You're confused". It is much more polite than some of the contradictions people use.

[pseudalopex]

"Full union membership thus no longer can be a requirement of employment. If a new employee refuses formally to join a union and subject himself to its discipline, he cannot be fired. Moreover, no employee can be discharged if he initially joins a union, and subsequently resigns."[1]

[1] https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-supreme-court/473/95.html