In the U.S., you never need to join a union, even at a union shop, anywhere. The issue is that, in a union shop--and this varies state by state--you might have

In the U.S., you never need to join a union, even at a union shop, anywhere. The issue is that, in a union shop--and this varies state by state--you might have to pay union dues whether or not you're a member. That issue of being compelled to pay union dues whether or not you're a member is the crux of the "right to work" debate (a bullshit term, because everyone always has the right to work, these laws are just about weakening unions and setting laws in favor of the owners). But being compelled to join a union? In the U.S.? Nope, never.