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Evansville, IN – Brian Head, an electrician from Evansville, has filed federal charges against the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 16. The charges stem from a $1.29 million fine imposed on him by the union after he resigned his membership. Head's legal action was taken to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) with assistance from attorneys at the National Right to Work Foundation.
The dispute began when Head resigned from IBEW on March 27, 2025, through a notarized letter acknowledged by IBEW officials on April 3. However, in their response, union officials claimed that resignation would only take effect after six months. According to Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act and U.S. Supreme Court rulings like Pattern Makers v. NLRB, workers have the right to end union membership without such restrictions.
During this period, IBEW Local 16 initiated disciplinary actions against Head for purchasing a non-union electrical contractor and not signing a Letter of Assent which would transfer business control to the union without worker consent. These actions occurred after his resignation date, rendering them legally unenforceable.
