SALT LAKE CITY—In a narrow 16-13 vote, the Utah Senate passed HB267, an anti-worker bill that eliminates the ability of public sector unions to collectively bargain for better wages, benefits, and working conditions. The bill, which now heads to Republican Governor Spencer Cox’s desk, is fiercely opposed by both teachers unions, the Firefighters, AFSCME, and other public workers who say the bill undermines their ability to advocate for safer workplaces and fair treatment.
All Democratic senators, in addition to Republican Senators Ann Millner, Daniel Thatcher, Wayne Harper, Lincoln Fillmore, Ronald Winterton, David Hinkins, and Evan Vickers voted against the bill. The other 16 Republicans voted in favor leading to the bill’s passage.
“Despite hearing from thousands of public-sector workers and supporters, the majority of Utah lawmakers refused to hear us. Instead, they chose to pass this highly unpopular and unnecessary legislation that undermines the rights of educators and other public employees across the state,” the Utah Education Association said.
The UEA, which represents 18,000 educators, urged Governor Cox to “show up for teachers” and veto the bill.
“Utah is less safe now,” said Jack Tidrow, president of the Professional Firefighters of Utah, after the bill’s passage. “Unions are the backbone of ensuring that firefighters and other public servants can do their jobs safely and effectively. This bill takes away our ability to fight for those protections.”
Hundreds of public workers, including teachers, firefighters, and county workers, flooded the Capitol to protest the bill last week. A petition from the UEA gathered over 13,000 signatures urging lawmakers to vote against the bill.
Public workers say the bill will embolden employers to ignore worker grievances, keep wages stagnant, and impose policies that will degrade working conditions. While only a small fraction of public sector unions in Utah engage in collective bargaining, the unions stress that the very threat of collective bargaining serves as a critical tool to ensure that employers listen to workers.
“We’re taxpayers, too. We would never negotiate ourselves out of a job,” said Shykell Ledford, a union representative of AFSCME Local 1004, which represents Salt Lake County workers. “We understand who our employers are, and we just want to provide better quality service.”
This legislation is viewed by labor as part of a broader Republican effort to undermine unions, particularly targeting teachers unions, who have been vocal opponents of MAGA policies on issues like school vouchers and diversity initiatives. Public educators in Utah, who rely heavily on collective bargaining, see the bill as a direct threat to their collective organizing power.
“Anti-public education lawmakers claim this legislation isn’t targeting the Utah Education Association, but their actions say otherwise. Utah’s students, public educators, and taxpayers deserve better than political retaliation masquerading as policy,” said Renée Pinkney, president of the UEA.
The bill now rests in the hands of Governor Spencer Cox, who has not yet indicated whether he will sign or veto it. Cox has faced mounting pressure from labor and its allies to reject the legislation.
“The people that protect you, the people that care for you, and the people that make this city run are asking you not to pass this bill,” Riebe said.
“Governor Cox has repeatedly stated that he is a proud supporter of teachers and public educators — this is his chance to prove it,” the UEA said in a statement. “We call on him to show up for teachers, listen to public employees, and reject policies that weaken our ability to advocate for fair working conditions and quality public services.”
“The legislators that voted for this and the sponsors of this bill will pick party and political philosophy over the will of the people. They don’t listen to their people, and they don’t listen to their constituents,” said Brad Asay, president of AFT Utah.
If signed into law, Utah would join Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina as one of the most repressive states for public sector unions. The bill could set a dangerous precedent around the country, further erode workers’ rights, and embolden other anti-union states to follow suit.
“This just makes us more determined to push back, fight back and defend workers’ voices in the workplace,” Asay said.
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