Labor unions file referendum against public sector collective bargaining bill
HB267, which bans public sector collective bargaining and was sponsored by Rep. Jordan Teuscher, R-South Jordan, was signed into law by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox last month.
Collective bargaining occurs when an employer and a union come together to negotiate a contract for employees. HB267 applies only to public sector labor unions and does not affect the private sector.
But on Wednesday, a coalition of labor partners — known as Protect Utah Workers — filed a referendum to overturn the controversial bill.
The coalition represents a diverse alliance of police, nurses, teachers and public sector employees 'committed to restoring fairness and giving workers a stronger voice in Utah,' according to a release from the group.
'Public employees serve our communities every day, but Utah lawmakers have silenced their voices by taking away their right to negotiate for fair wages, safe workplaces and better working conditions,' Renee Pinkney, president of the Utah Education Association, said in a statement. 'This referendum allows Utah voters to right that wrong and ensure workers have a seat at the table.'
The group is launching a statewide effort to gather 141,000 signatures opposing the bill in 30 days.
The labor unions behind Protect Utah Workers include:
AFT Utah
Teamsters Local 222
AFSCME Local 1004
Utah Education Association
CWA Local 7765
Utah School Employees' Association
Utah Public Employees' Association
Salt Lake Valley Law Enforcement Association
This story may be updated.
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16. Utah
Governor: Spencer Cox, Republican Population: 3,503,613 GDP growth (Q1 2025): 0.5% Unemployment rate (May 2025): 3.2% Top corporate tax rate: 4.55% Top individual income tax rate: 4.55% Gasoline tax: 57.55 cents/gallon Bond rating (Moody's/S&P): Aaa, Stable/AAA, Stable Economic profile sources: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federation of Tax Administrators, Energy Information Administration (including 18.40 cent/gallon federal tax), Moody's Investor Service, S&P Global Market Intelligence
