Brandon Davis and his colleagues at Comfort Systems USA Mid-South in Montgomery, Alabama, have succeeded in removing the Steamfitters Local 52 union from their workplace. The nearly two-year effort to decertify the union was led by Davis, who received legal support from the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation.
The process began in March 2023 when Davis filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for a vote to remove the union. Despite having enough signatures to trigger an election, Davis also provided a copy of the petition to his employer as a precaution against potential legal challenges from union officials. Under NLRB precedent, employers can withdraw recognition from unions that lack majority support.
In Alabama, a Right to Work state, unions cannot enforce membership or dues as employment conditions. However, they can still impose “exclusive representation” on all workers in a unionized facility.
After Comfort Systems stopped recognizing the Steamfitters union based on Davis’ petition, union officials filed unfair labor practice charges against the company. They sought an order compelling the company to bargain with them despite losing majority support. One charge accused Davis of being part of an illegal company plot.
In February 2025, NLRB Region 15 found merit in some charges but later dropped allegations under pressure from Davis and his legal team. This allowed Comfort Systems employees to end their association with the Steamfitters union.
Mark Mix, President of the National Right to Work Foundation, stated: “We’re proud to help Mr. Davis and his fellow Comfort Systems employees escape the clutches of Steamfitters union bosses who weren’t standing up for the employees’ interests.”
