National Right to Work Foundation President Mark Mix said UNITE HERE Local 11 uses “mob-like tactics” to intimidate workers after a second Flying Food Group employee filed federal charges alleging harassment for opposing the union.
Mix made the statement in an April 28, 2025 news release from the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation regarding the two employees of Flying Food Group, an airline catering company based in Los Angeles, that have filed federal charges against UNITE HERE Local 11.
“While it’s bad enough that multiple employees from the same foodservice facility are reporting mob-like tactics against workers who oppose the union’s agenda, the truth is that Unite Here officials have a track record of using illegal and intimidating methods to coerce worker ‘support’ in countless hotels, stadiums, casinos, and other workplaces across the nation,” Mix said.
According to the news release from NRTW, one of the employees who filed charges alleges she faced retaliation for organizing anti-union discussions, culminating in a physical confrontation with a union steward.
“Unite Here has been a terrible presence in our workplace. Our contracts are bad and union representatives treat me and anyone who disagrees even a little bit with the union like we are evil,” Kenia Solano said in the NRTW news release. “The law is supposed to protect my right to disagree with the union and tell my coworkers that we are better off without it, but union bosses have not respected those rights at all and just keep harassing me.”
Mix warned that these tactics violate the rights of workers.
“Foodservice and hospitality workers nationwide should know that they have rights to end union membership, speak out against union bosses, and refuse to pay some or potentially all union dues without having to fear retaliation,” Mix said. “Foundation attorneys stand ready to help them exercise their rights.”
A similar case against UNITE HERE involved the 2023 closure of Chicago’s Berlin Nightclub, which permanently closed in 2023 following protracted negotiations with UNITE HERE Local 1 Union.
Chicago’s Berlin Nightclub, a LGBTQ+ institution known for its four-decade legacy, permanently closed its doors on November 19, 2023, according to the Southland Marquee. The announcement, made via the club’s website, followed months of negotiations with UNITE HERE Local 1 Union, which began representing Berlin employees in April after a post-pandemic reopening.
Club owners Jim Schuman and Jo Webster said the closure came after Local 1 proposed economic demands they described as financially unsustainable for a part-time nightlife venue.
“It would be nice to pay the employees what the union wants. Unfortunately, agreeing to the union’s demands will make Berlin non-competitive, and result in a large increase of costs to our customers, causing Berlin’s patrons to go to other venues,” Schuman and Webster said.
Mark Mix serves as president of both the National Right to Work Committee and its Legal Defense Foundation. With a membership base of 2.8 million individuals, these organizations focus on policy advocacy related to labor issues. Mix is also known for his media appearances on networks such as Fox News and C-SPAN and has contributed writings featured in prominent publications like The Wall Street Journal.
