Sunoco Logistics drivers oust United Steelworkers union across four states

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GLOBAL INDUSTRY NEWS

William L. Messenger Vice President and Legal Director (2023-Present) | NRTWLD&EF, Inc

By Sky Industry News

May 20, 2025

Crude oil drivers for Sunoco Logistics Partners, also known as Energy Transfer, have successfully removed the United Steelworkers (USW) union from their work unit. This change follows a petition led by Jay Fifer, a driver for the company, who collected signatures from his coworkers demanding that Sunoco Logistics end its recognition of the USW as the majority representative of the drivers.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) acknowledged Sunoco Logistics' withdrawal of recognition from the USW on May 12. As a result, over 420 drivers across approximately 30 facilities in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and New Mexico are no longer under union control.

“I’m glad that my coworkers and I were able to band together to force this Steelworkers union out,” said Fifer. “The union was not a positive force in our workplace, and we are better off without it."

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The NLRB is responsible for enforcing federal labor law in the private sector and can administer votes to install or remove unions. The 2019 Johnson Controls decision allows workers to remove unwanted union officials by submitting a majority-backed petition asking their employer to stop recognizing the union.

Fifer resides in Texas, a Right to Work state where employees cannot be forced to pay dues or fees to unions as a condition of employment. Oklahoma and Louisiana share similar laws, but New Mexico does not offer these protections.

Fifer began collecting signatures for a decertification vote at his workplace and quickly met the required threshold. His petition gained further support, leading him to submit it directly to his employer. Consequently, USW officials lost their bargaining power with Sunoco Logistics.

Foundation staff attorneys have assisted several groups in removing unwanted USW unions recently. According to NLRB data, worker-filed petitions seeking decertification votes have increased by more than 50% since 2020.

“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," stated 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."