Download Mark Mix’s statement as an MP3: Full Statement, Short Clip

**Springfield, VA (September 1, 2006)** – Mark Mix, President of the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, made the following statement in response to the passing of this year’s Labor Day holiday. The Foundation is a non-profit legal aid organization providing free help to victims of compulsory unionism abuse.

“While Americans hit the beaches and fire up the barbeques to celebrate Labor Day, the holiday marks a bittersweet occasion for millions of hardworking Americans forced to join or pay dues to a labor union just to get or keep a job.

“In the 28 states without a Right to Work law that makes union affiliation strictly voluntary, millions of our fellow citizens would be fired if they refused to pay union dues.

“Despite their feel-good rhetoric about standing up for workers’ rights, union officials commonly target dissenting workers. Sadly, such retaliation often takes the form of harassment, firings, and even brutal violence.

“Throughout the past year, the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation has fought back for thousands of such union-abused workers.

“In Washington State, we helped a group of state employees win their jobs back after union officials had them fired for refusal to pay dues. In Ohio, we’re helping nurses resist threats, stalkings, and surveillance by union operatives, all because the nurses don’t feel union officials represent their best interests. In North Carolina, we’re helping a group of auto workers in a federal racketeering lawsuit against their employer and union for systematically imposing unionization on thousands of their colleagues.

“These are just a few examples of the ugly compulsory unionism abuse we help workers fight back against every day.

“And so, as Big Labor officials dish out their tired old Labor Day propaganda, let us not forget about those rank-and-file workers who have paid a high price for standing up to union officials and exercising their individual rights.

“These workers have nothing for which to thank organized labor. This Labor Day, in fact, they are owed an apology.”

To schedule an interview – or for more information – call Justin Hakes at 703-770-3317.

The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization providing free legal aid to employees whose human or civil rights have been violated by compulsory unionism abuses. The Foundation, which can be contacted toll-free at 1-800-336-3600, assists thousands of employees in more than 250 cases nationwide per year.