Crude oil drivers for Sunoco Logistics Partners, also known as Energy Transfer, have successfully ended the representation of the United Steelworkers (USW) union in their work unit. This change came after Jay Fifer, a driver with the company, led an effort to gather signatures from his coworkers demanding that Sunoco Logistics cease recognizing USW as their representative.
On May 12, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) confirmed Sunoco Logistics’ decision to withdraw recognition from USW. This action affects over 420 drivers across approximately 30 facilities in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and New Mexico.
“I’m glad that my coworkers and I were able to band together to force this Steelworkers union out,” stated Fifer. He added that while he was fortunate to be in a Right to Work state like Texas where he could opt-out of union dues, not all his colleagues had the same choice.
The NLRB oversees federal labor law enforcement in the private sector and manages votes for union certification or decertification. The Johnson Controls NLRB decision of 2019 allows workers to remove unwanted unions by submitting a majority-backed petition. If disputed, a secret-ballot vote can determine employee opposition.
Texas and Oklahoma are Right to Work states where employees cannot be forced into paying union dues. However, New Mexico does not offer these protections under state law.
Fifer’s campaign began with collecting signatures for a decertification vote at his workplace. After surpassing the necessary threshold for such an election under NLRB rules, Fifer submitted his petition directly to Sunoco Logistics management who then withdrew recognition from USW per Johnson Controls guidelines.
Foundation staff attorneys have assisted various groups nationwide in similar efforts against unwanted unions. The desire among workers to exercise their right against unpopular unions is on the rise; worker-filed petitions seeking decertification votes have increased by more than 50% since 2020 according to NLRB data.
“Rank-and-file workers across the country like Mr. Fifer and his fellow drivers don’t enjoy the same structural and legal advantages that union officials do under American labor law,” remarked National Right to Work Foundation President Mark Mix. “American workers’ increasing interest in escaping union ‘representation’ should serve as a reminder…that it should pursue labor policy that enhances workers’ freedom.”
