‘It's not over until it's over': Teachers ask Cox to veto union bill in silent protest
Educators gathered in front of the governor's office Friday morning to silently protest and ask Gov. Spencer Cox to veto HB267, the bill that would ban collective bargaining for unions in the public sector. The silent protest comes a week after almost 1,000 teachers, firefighters and other union advocates packed the Capitol to call for a veto.
It's unclear if the governor will veto the legislation; if he does, Sen. David Hinkins, R-Ferron, confirmed Thursday he's working on a compromise that would still allow public unions to collectively bargain. SB168, a backup bill for HB267, would require support from a majority of the employees in the organization the union represents, regardless of whether they're part of the union, in order to negotiate on behalf of employees.
The compromise bill also retains some restrictions on public sector unions from the original legislation, like restricting certain government resources from going toward union activity and removing access to the Utah Retirement System for employees who work for the union but not the public entity the union represents.
Is it too late for a compromise on collective bargaining bill? One senator is still trying
BreAnn Busbom is a teacher in Davis School District. She said when teachers' voices are silenced, an unhappy workforce is created, which becomes a problem for students.
'This silent protest is really symbolic of what would happen if the governor does not veto this bill,' Busbom said. 'It, in effect, silences teacher voice.'
J. Cedric Smith, a science teacher in the Weber School District, said he's hoping the governor will veto the legislation and advocate on behalf of public sector employees, students, families and teachers.
'It's not over until it's over,' Smith said.
If Cox vetoes HB267, Hinkins said his compromise bill would have an avenue forward, though Senate leadership called it a 'nonstarter' Thursday.
Busbom said she hasn't looked at what Hinkins' backup bill would do but a compromise is something she would be 'very pleased' with.
'I know others would also be pleased with having some sort of compromise at the end of the day,' she added.
A substitute to HB267 would have allowed collective bargaining if unions could get enough support from all employees, but the Legislature ultimately passed the original language, despite two weeks' worth of debate and discussions between public sector unions and lawmakers.
Smith said because HB267 was controversial and faced significant opposition, the governor now has an opportunity to exercise his judgment and veto.
'At the very least, send it back … to say, 'Hey, you know, I think you need to make a better effort at working with these folks, developing a coalition, a partnership, so that everybody's needs can be met, but their rights can't be taken from them,' Smith said.
If HB267 does end up becoming law, Busbom and Smith both said the Utah Education Association will continue to advocate for teachers and students.
'We are resilient as an association, and I know we can make it past this,' Busbom said. 'However, I will be extremely disappointed with the people that have been elected to represent the people. I'm not sure that they really are representing the people's voice in this action.'
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