open shop
1
5.2
- noun
- /ˈoʊpən ʃɑp/
- Jargon
:
tienda abierta
- Many businesses prefer to be an open shop to attract a wider pool of applicants without union restrictions.
Examples
-
There are both closed shops (no bargaining) and open shops (bargaining).
Academic text (1996) -
Nonetheless, we know that more than once NWPA refrained from action harmful to Medalia or its successors, one example being not taking job action when PMG management insisted on an open shop.
Academic text (2001) -
This is an open shop.
-
Management still wanted an open shop.
Academic text (2001) -
In August 1998 and in November 1999, management would have agreed to a contract had NWPA accepted the salary plan and open shop.
Academic text (2001) -
In the 1920s, Henry Ford hired thousands of African American men for his open-shop system of auto manufacturing.
Blog text (26) -
Management promised physicians an open shop, in which union membership is voluntary and nonjoiners do not pay dues.
Academic text (2001) -
The company operates as an open shop, allowing employees to choose whether or not to join the union.
-
In an open shop, workers cannot be forced to pay union dues as a condition of employment.
Antonyms
How Unionized
Surface Forms
Morphology
At face value 'open shop' looks like a compositional phrase meaning a shop that is 'open' (accessible or operating), so a B1 learner who knows 'open' and 'shop' would likely infer that literal sense. The actual meaning—a workplace where union membership is not required—is a specialized, institutional/legal usage that cannot be predicted from the everyday senses of the constituents and therefore will be opaque to learners without prior exposure.
Etymology
Open shop comes from the opposite of a 'closed shop'. An open shop was literally open to all workers, so the phrase means a workplace where people can choose whether to join a union.