Non-Union Employees Rising: Three Wins for Workplace Freedom

Across Pennsylvania, Texas, and Kentucky, American workers are taking bold steps to reclaim their rights and reject unwanted union boss control. From emergency medical services to delivery and construction, employees are using federal law to decertify Teamsters unions—often with vital legal support from the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation. These victories, reported by the Foundation, highlight the importance of voluntary association and the challenges posed by coercive union practices. As the National Institute for Labor Relations Research (NILRR) continues to champion Right to Work protections, these stories underscore why empowering individual choice is essential for fair labor relations.

Pennsylvania EMT Fights for Workplace Freedom

In Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, EMT Shannon Martin of North Huntingdon EMS/Rescue is leading a determined effort to remove Teamsters Local 205 as the exclusive bargaining agent for her workplace. On October 14, 2025, Martin filed her second petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) seeking a decertification election. Her first petition was dismissed under the NLRB’s “voluntary recognition bar”—a rule that blocks elections for up to a year after a union gains power through the controversial “card check” process, which bypasses secret ballot voting.

Martin’s case highlights a critical issue: under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), workers have the right to challenge union representation through secret ballots. But in states like Pennsylvania, which lack Right to Work protections, employees can be forced to pay union dues as a condition of employment—even if they never voted for the union.

The National Right to Work Foundation is providing Martin with free legal aid, arguing that the recognition bar is an unlawful NLRB invention not supported by the NLRA. Foundation President Mark Mix criticized the tactic, saying, “Teamsters union brass… are choosing to silence worker voices by not allowing them the chance to have their wishes expressed via secret ballot elections.”

Despite procedural roadblocks and potential personal risks, Martin’s persistence reflects a deep commitment to workplace freedom.

Source: https://www.nrtw.org/news/emt-petition-teamsters-decertification-10142025/

Texas Delivery Drivers Win Decertification Battles

In Dallas, Texas, delivery workers at Restaurant Technologies, Inc. and FCC Environmental Services successfully ousted Teamsters Local 745 on October 3, 2025. With legal help from the Foundation, these employees filed NLRB petitions and won their decertification elections.

Texas’s Right to Work law protects employees from forced union dues, reinforcing their ability to reject unwanted representation. As Mix noted, “Over 90% of employees have never had a chance to vote on the union that purports to represent them.” In fact, NLRB data shows that one in five decertification petitions last year targeted the Teamsters.

At FCC Environmental Services, workers overcame union objections and won a majority vote against representation. At Restaurant Technologies, the union withdrew just days before the scheduled vote—likely to avoid a public defeat.

Teamsters Bosses tactics included filing multiple unfair labor practice charges to stall the process, though most were withdrawn and the final one dismissed. Mix called this a “coercive agenda,” accusing unions of prioritizing their own power over worker interests.

While individual stories remain private, these workers are described as “courageous and independent-minded,” driven by a desire for genuine representation.

Source: https://www.nrtw.org/news/texas-wins-against-teamsters-10032025/

Kentucky Construction Crews Reject Teamsters Control

In Louisville, Kentucky, Builders FirstSource employees—led by Kenneth Moore—successfully ended Teamsters Local 89’s representation on October 2, 2025. This followed a similar victory by Chris Smith and drivers at IMI – Irving Materials in Scottsville, marking two consecutive wins against the same union.

Thanks to Kentucky’s Right to Work law and the 2019 Johnson Controls NLRB decision (secured by the Foundation), Moore’s team submitted a majority-signed petition directly to management. This allowed them to bypass a full election and achieve immediate withdrawal of union recognition.

Foundation attorneys ensured the process complied with the NLRA, providing clear proof of worker dissent. Mix praised the workers, saying, “These two groups of Kentucky workers… concluded that the interests Teamsters bosses are pursuing are at odds with the wishes of the rank and file.”

Though specific union tactics weren’t detailed, the broader trend suggests workers are overcoming entrenched institutional barriers—especially in high-stakes industries like construction.

Source: https://www.nrtw.org/news/kentucky-builders-firstsource-workers-10022025/

A National Movement for Worker Empowerment

These three cases—from union-heavy Pennsylvania to Right to Work states like Texas and Kentucky—reflect a growing national movement. The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation supports roughly 200 decertification efforts each year, helping workers navigate legal hurdles and resist coercive union tactics.

As Mix emphasized, workers are increasingly rejecting unions that prioritize self-preservation over member interests. At NILRR.org, we believe every state should adopt Right to Work laws to protect individual liberty and ensure union membership remains voluntary.

These victories are more than legal wins—they’re a call to action. If you’re facing unwanted union representation, resources are available. Visit NILRR.org to learn more, support our research, and join the movement for workplace freedom.

The momentum is real. Let’s keep it rising.