Summer Summer Segment - Mark Mix

Mark Mix, President of the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, spoke at the Virginia Tea Party’s 2025 Summer Summit about the implications of losing Virginia’s Right to Work law. He emphasized that such a loss would strip workers of their freedom to choose whether to support a union, compelling them to pay dues or face job loss. Mix illustrated this with the story of Charlene Carter, a Southwest Airlines flight attendant fired for opposing her union’s political activities, highlighting how forced unionism can infringe on personal beliefs and financial autonomy.

Mix traced the historical roots of forced unionism to federal legislation like the Wagner Act of 1935, which granted unions the power to mandate membership and dues. The Taft-Hartley Act of 1947 allowed states like Virginia to enact Right to Work laws, protecting workers from such mandates. However, Mix warned that recent political shifts, including support from figures like Abigail Spanberger for repealing Right to Work, threaten this protection, potentially forcing workers to fund union agendas they oppose and undermining Virginia’s economic appeal.

The loss of Right to Work in Virginia would have significant economic and personal consequences, Mix argued. It could deter businesses, as 75% of site selection experts avoid non-Right to Work states, reducing job opportunities. For workers, it means less disposable income and diminished workplace freedom, as they could be coerced into supporting unions. Mix urged the audience to support candidates who uphold Right to Work to preserve individual rights and maintain Virginia’s status as a top state for business and economic growth.

https://www.nrtw.org/