Maxford Nelsen

Director of Research and Government Affairs

As the Freedom Foundation’s Director of Research and Government Affairs, Maxford Nelsen leads the team advancing the Freedom Foundation’s mission through strategic research, public policy advocacy, and labor relations. Max regularly testifies on labor issues before legislative bodies, and his research has served as the basis for several briefs submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court. Max’s work has been featured in a variety of media outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Fox News, Forbes, The Hill, National Review, and The New York Times. From 2019-21, Max served as a presidential appointee to the Federal Service Impasses Panel within the Federal Labor Relations Authority, which resolves contract negotiation disputes between federal agencies and labor unions. Prior to joining the Freedom Foundation in 2013, Max worked for the Washington Policy Center and interned with the Heritage Foundation. Max holds a labor relations certificate from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and graduated magna cum laude from Whitworth University with a bachelor’s degree in political science.

Other Authors

Allison Beattie

Director of Labor Relations

Written Articles

Chelan County Employees Decertify the Teamsters Union

Juvenile detention supervisors in Chelan County successfully decertified their union with help from the Freedom Foundation, seeking better representation and workplace autonomy.

Educators in Illinois’ Le Roy School District replace NEA with independent union

Le Roy School District educators left the NEA to form their own independent union, aiming for lower dues and more direct control over workplace representation.

WSDOT Workers Decertify Union

A group of Washington state workers successfully decertified their union, highlighting the challenges and potential reforms needed for public employee representation.

What We Do

We help public employees take charge of their workplace representation.

Decertify

If a majority of employees support it, a union can be dissolved outright, allowing for direct employer relationships and greater flexibility.

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Independent Union

Independent unions are self-governing, provide employee control, lower dues, and can be formed by a core group of leaders.

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Disaffiliation

Disaffiliation lets a local union sever ties with national affiliates, retaining its status and assets, but may face procedural challenges.

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TRUSTED PARTNERS

We just wanted a union that put our students and our community first…we built exactly that. No politics, no top-down bureaucracy. Just real, local representation by teachers for teachers to better serve students.

Gabe Shorb

Teacher

Powers School District, OR

They were there for us to help guide us or answer questions or even file court proceedings on our behalf. We are thankful for their support through this process.

Mark Holthaus

Police Officer

Liberty Lake Police Department, WA

They made it all very simple, and I’d recommend that anyone else interested in decertifying a poor performing union in their workplace get in touch with them.

Eric Thornton

County Employee

Chelan County, WA

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