Victory in West Virginia: McDowell County Workers Free Themselves from SEIU After Year-Long Battle
New Video Documents Inspiring Story of Workplace Freedom
Key Takeaways
- A new video from NILRR showcases McDowell County homecare workers’ struggle for workplace freedom from SEIU union control.
- John Reeves led efforts for a decertification election, facing numerous obstacles from NLRB and union officials.
- Ultimately, Reeves submitted signatures from coworkers opposing the union, leading to victory after 17 months of effort.
- The video highlights systemic issues in the decertification process, showing the need for reform and better support for workers.
- NILRR offers resources and free legal assistance for employees facing compulsory unionism, emphasizing workers’ rights.
SPRINGFIELD, VA – A new video from the National Institute for Labor Relations Research (NILRR) chronicles the remarkable victory of McDowell County Commission on Aging employees who successfully freed themselves from unwanted union control after more than a year of determined effort.
The inspiring documentary-style video tells the story of John Reeves, a Commission employee who refused to give up despite facing bureaucratic roadblocks, union stonewalling tactics, and a deeply flawed decertification process that delayed and ultimately discarded his coworkers’ votes.
The Fight for Workplace Freedom in America’s Heartland
In the mountains of McDowell County, West Virginia, homecare workers who serve vulnerable seniors found themselves trapped under the control of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 1199 officials—even though the majority opposed union representation. Despite working in a Right to Work state where workers cannot be forced to pay union dues, these employees remained subject to exclusive union representation, meaning SEIU bosses claimed to speak for them on all workplace matters whether they wanted it or not.
“Mr. Reeves’ and his coworkers’ situation shows that, in practice, NLRB bureaucrats will frequently stifle workers’ rights simply to advance the interests of union officials,” said National Right to Work Foundation President Mark Mix.
A Journey Through Bureaucracy and Obstruction
The video details the extraordinary obstacles Reeves and his coworkers faced:
June 2024: Reeves filed a union decertification petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) with free legal assistance from National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation attorneys.
July 9, 2024: Commission employees cast their ballots in a decertification vote.
Six-Month Delay: NLRB officials refused to count the ballots, citing unfair labor practice charges filed by SEIU officials against Commission management.
Ballots Discarded: After the Commission and SEIU reached a settlement that included a four-month ban on any new decertification vote, a regional NLRB official approved the agreement and effectively threw out the workers’ ballots—despite never proving the alleged unfair labor practices.
Finding Another Path to Victory
Rather than accept defeat, Reeves pursued an alternative strategy. He collected signatures from the majority of his coworkers demonstrating they rejected SEIU representation. Under the National Labor Relations Act, an employer cannot legally bargain with union officials who lack majority support in a workplace.
In late October 2025, Reeves submitted this majority petition to Commission management. On November 4, 2025, the Commission withdrew recognition from SEIU union officials—delivering the workplace freedom Reeves and his coworkers had fought for over 17 months.
The Bigger Picture: A Broken System
The video powerfully illustrates what labor policy experts have long argued: the union decertification process is fundamentally broken.
“Currently, the union decertification process is overly complex and prone to legal manipulation, delays, and derailment,” Mark Mix explained. “It is in dire need of reform, and both the NLRB and federal legislators have a role to play to prevent workers from being trapped under union so-called ‘representation’ opposed by a majority of employees”.
The documentary showcases how:
- NLRB bureaucrats prioritize union official interests over worker free choice
- Union bosses use litigation as a weapon to delay and derail worker votes
- Exclusive representation persists even in Right to Work states, forcing workers to accept union bargaining whether they want it or not
- Decertification is intentionally difficult, requiring workers to navigate complex legal processes while union officials deploy every available tactic to maintain control
A Message of Hope
Despite exposing systemic problems, the video delivers an ultimately hopeful message: determined workers with proper legal support can still win their freedom from unwanted union control.
The production features compelling visuals including aerial footage of McDowell County’s mountain landscapes, scenes of homecare workers serving seniors, and a diverse montage of American workers across industries—from factory floors and construction sites to offices and healthcare settings. The documentary demonstrates that workplace freedom issues affect workers throughout the American economy.
Free Legal Aid Available
The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation provides free legal assistance to thousands of employees nationwide every year who face compulsory unionism abuses. Workers trapped under unwanted union representation have options and rights—and they’re not alone.
Resources for workers:
- Toll-free legal aid hotline: 1-800-336-3600
- Information and assistance: NRTW.org
- Research and analysis: NILRR.org
Watch the Full Video
The complete video, “Victory in West Virginia: How McDowell County Workers Freed Themselves from Union Control,” is now available at NILRR.org and includes a detailed storyboard showing the step-by-step journey from initial petition to ultimate victory.
The documentary serves as both an educational resource on union decertification challenges and an inspirational call to action for workers nationwide who seek workplace freedom. See other Teamsters Decertification Elections.
About NILRR
The National Institute for Labor Relations Research is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and educational foundation. Since 1975, NILRR has produced and disseminated research revealing the economic impact of compulsory unionism, highlighting the effects of unionization on employment, examining union officials’ misuse of workers’ compelled dues, and documenting the consequences of monopoly bargaining power.