closed shop
noun
a factory, office, or other business establishment in which union membership is a condition of being hired as well as of continued employment.
Compare
open shop.
Origin of closed shop
An Americanism dating back to 1900–05
Words nearby closed shop
British Dictionary definitions for closed shop
closed shop
noun
(formerly) an industrial establishment in which there exists a contract between a trade union and the employer permitting the employment of the union's members only
Compare open shop, union shop
Cultural definitions for closed shop
closed shop
Technically, a business in which employees must join a labor union before being hired. This practice is now illegal. The term is used synonymously with union shop.