Image: IBEW Local 16, Indiana
On September 30, 2025, Brian Head, an electrician from Evansville, Indiana secured a settlement against IBEW Local 16 that forces the union to drop, expunge, and publicly retract a threatened $1.29 million internal fine.
What appeared to many as a draconian attempt to punish dissenting members has instead become a landmark affirmation of workers’ rights under federal labor law.
Here’s what happened and why the outcome matters.
What Happened: Timeline of Events
Date | Event |
|---|---|
March 27, 2025 | Head submits a notarized resignation letter from IBEW Local 16. |
Early April | The union replies, claiming a “six-month waiting period” before the resignation becomes effective. |
After resignation | Head begins acquiring a non-union electrical firm. The union demands a Letter of Assent, effectively trying to assert control over his business; he refuses. |
May 1, 2025 | Union issues a demand for Head to appear before a union tribunal. |
June 9, 2025 | Local 16 declares Head “guilty” of violating its constitution and threatens a $1.29 million fine. |
June 2025 | Head files charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), claiming retaliation and an NLRA violation. |
September 30, 2025 | Union settles. It agrees to rescind the threatened fine, expunge all records, and take steps to inform members of their rights. |
To many observers, the move appeared less about enforcing rules and more about coercion: punishing a former member who now intended to operate outside the union’s domain.
🎥 Eyewitness news (WEHT/WTVW) has reported on this:
Settlement Terms & What the Union Must Do
Here’s what the union has agreed to under the settlement:
Rescind the threatened $1.29 million fine
Expunge all records of the fine and disciplinary action
Cease any interference in a worker’s right to resign
Notify other workers of their rights under the NLRA
Post the agreement on its website or communicate it publicly to members
These steps ensure the union can’t continue coercive practices when someone exercises their right to leave.
Why This Victory Matters
A Clear Win for Individual Rights
Many tradesmen operate in jurisdictions where union membership feels almost compulsory. This case reaffirms that union membership is voluntary and that leaving is a legally protected right.
Checks on Union Power
This isn’t just about one electrician. The threat of huge internal fines can serve as a weapon to stifle dissent — to intimidate members from leaving or challenging union control. The Head settlement curtails that power.
Precedent & Deterrent
Future union overreach — whether in construction, electrical, plumbing, or other trades, may be deterred by this case. Workers now have a real-world example to cite if they face retaliation post-resignation.
Educating the Rank & File
Because the settlement forces IBEW Local 16 to inform its membership of their rights, many rank-and-file electricians may learn something they didn’t know: that they can resign without retribution.
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