Right-to-work laws promote the formation of \- \((\mathrm{LO} 2)\) a) closed shops c) open shops b) union shops

In the realm of labor relations, 'closed shops' refer to a type of employment arrangement where businesses agree to hire exclusively union members. This practice ensures that the entire workforce is unionized and is designed to maintain solid union participation and representation. Workers who are not members of the union are, in such cases, generally not considered for employment.

Closed shops were more common in the past, when labor unions had strong influence over certain industries. However, with the introduction of right-to-work laws, this practice has been outlawed in many areas in the United States. These laws aim to protect workers' freedom of association by ensuring that employment is not contingent upon union membership, effectively diminishing the prevalence of closed shops.

A step more flexible than closed shops, 'union shops' are workplaces where new hires don't need to be union members at the outset. However, there is a catch; employees must join the labor union within a specified period after starting their job. This transition period is known as a 'union security agreement' and it is designed to secure union strength while giving new employees a window to understand the benefits of union membership.

Under right-to-work legislation, union shops are also affected. Such laws prevent employers and unions from making union membership a requirement for employment, thereby offering workers the choice to join or not join the union without the fear of losing their jobs.

The term 'open shops' describes a workplace where joining a union is a matter of personal choice for each employee; there are no requirements to become or remain a union member as a condition of employment. This model allows for a mixed environment where union members can work alongside non-union colleagues.

Because right-to-work laws ensure that individuals have the right to seek employment without being forced to join or pay dues to a union, these laws naturally promote the proliferation of open shops. Option c) open shops is indeed the right answer in the context of the exercise, reflecting the ethos of right-to-work statutes, as they aim to provide a working environment free of mandatory union participation, thereby fostering a more flexible labor market.