Pipefitters win battle against Steamfitters Local 52 Union at Comfort Systems

In Alabama, a Right to Work state, laws prevent unions from enforcing contracts requiring membership or dues payments as employment conditions. However, unions can still impose "exclusive representation" on all workers in a unionized facility.

Comfort Systems stopped recognizing the Steamfitters union in March 2023 based on Davis’ petition. Despite this, Steamfitters union officials attempted to maintain control over Davis and his coworkers by filing unfair labor practice charges against Comfort Systems management with the NLRB. These charges aimed to force the company into bargaining with the union despite lacking majority worker support. One charge accused Davis of being part of an illegal company plot due to his collection of signatures.

In February 2025, NLRB Region 15 found merit in some of these charges, including claims about Davis' role as a manager or agent of management. In response, Foundation attorneys sought intervention in the case between Steamfitters and Comfort Systems to challenge these allegations.

Under pressure from Davis and his legal team, the NLRB dropped allegations threatening reimposition of union control and settled others shortly before a scheduled hearing. With no remaining challenges, Davis and colleagues are now free from Steamfitters’ control.

“We’re proud to help Mr. Davis and his fellow Comfort Systems employees escape the clutches of Steamfitters union bosses who weren’t standing up for the employees’ interests," said National Right to Work Foundation President Mark Mix. “As the Trump Administration selects new NLRB members, it should seek members who will eliminate policies that let union officials seize forced ‘representation’ powers over workers on unproven allegations."