Employees at an auto accessory manufacturing company in Philadelphia have successfully defended their rights against what they describe as intimidation tactics by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union. The employees, backed by the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, alleged that UAW officials attempted to coerce them into participating in a strike under threat of termination.
In March 2024, seven workers from Dometic filed charges against UAW Local 644 for unfair labor practices. The charges claimed that union leaders ordered a strike and threatened employees who chose not to participate with job loss. Despite resigning their union memberships, the employees reported facing internal disciplinary actions initiated by UAW officials.
Federal law prohibits unions from disciplining those who opt out of membership. With legal support from the National Right to Work Foundation, the Dometic workers reached settlements in October 2024 that upheld their rights. These agreements require UAW officials to post notices informing workers of their right to abstain from union activities and mandate training on “a union’s right to impose internal discipline.”
Mario Coccie, one of the affected Dometic employees, highlighted additional incidents during this period. In April 2024, he filed further charges against UAW Local 644 concerning mass text messages threatening all Dometic staff with dismissal if they did not join the strike. Coccie remarked on these actions: “The information in this text reveals union officials’ real intentions, which is to hurt anyone willing to stand up for themselves.”
Moreover, Coccie and his coworkers argued that UAW officials ignored their rights established under the CWA v. Beck Supreme Court decision, which restricts unions from using mandatory fees for political purposes without consent.
Patrick Semmens of the National Right to Work Foundation commented on the situation: “We’re proud to have helped Mario Coccie and his coworkers vindicate their rights.” He added concerns about ongoing issues with union practices: “Policymakers need to protect workers’ freedom to cut off funding for union bosses who don’t serve their interests.”
The settlement also requires UAW representatives to remove social media posts that threatened non-striking workers.
