Governor Spencer Cox’s recent signing of the anti-labor law HB 267 banned collective bargaining for public employees. The legislation severely weakened several public-sector unions, including the Utah Education Association (UEA), Utah Public Employees Association (UPEA), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and unions representing police and firefighters. This marks a troubling shift in Utah’s approach to public service. The draconian law places Utah alongside only North and South Carolina in enacting such restrictive measures. Due to these laws, unsurprisinglyNorth and South Carolina have some of the lowest rate of union membership of less than 5%, despite lawmakers claiming that employees are still free to join a union. These measures threaten both the quality of public services and the dignity of those who provide them.
As someone whose fiancé is becoming a teacher, this decision feels personal. Utah’s educators already face mounting challenges earning an average salary ranking 30th nationally while contending with rising living costs. Collective bargaining is a critical tool for securing fair pay, improved classroom conditions, and professional support. Without it, retention will decline, and education quality will suffer. Police officers and firefighters, who risk their lives daily, will also have less power to advocate for adequate mental health resources and workplace protections. By silencing public employees, HB 267 jeopardizes both public safety and education.
HB 267’s passage coincides with escalating tensions between Utah’s Republican-majority legislature and the UEA, the state’s largest teachers’ union. The UEA recently clashed with lawmakers over Amendment A, a proposal to alter public education funding, and successfully removed it from the Ballot in 2024. They also have led legal challenges against Utah’s $82 million school voucher program, which is still in court. Representative Jordan Teuscher, the bill’s sponsor, insists the legislation was not aimed at the UEA, yet he excluded the union from discussions while drafting it. The UEA and other unions attempted to negotiate a compromise, but legislators rejected their proposals, opting instead for a version that weakens organized labor’s influence.
Proponents of HB 267 argue that the bill promotes direct communication between employees and employers. According to Representative Teuscher, “in most of those collective bargaining agreements, it spells out specifically that the union representation is the sole collective bargaining agent, meaning that the public employer is not able to negotiate with anyone else, other than union representatives.” While HB 267 may not outright ban union membership or participation, it effectively weakens the collective voice that has historically been essential for securing fair working conditions. Additionally, by prohibiting paid leave for union activities and requiring unions to pay for space rentals and report their finances, it places additional burdens on these organizations.
Governor Cox signed the bill with apparent reluctance, stating, “Utah has long been known as a state that can work together to solve difficult issues… I’m disappointed that in this case, the process did not ultimately deliver the compromise that at one point was on the table.” But disappointment is not leadership. The bill passed without a veto-proof majority—he could have pushed for a compromise or vetoed it altogether. Instead, he once again capitulated to an increasingly radical legislature.
The spirit of cooperation is fading in Utah, and it’s up to us to demand change. Just a decade ago, Utah lawmakers crafted the landmark 2015 Utah Compromise, bringing together religious groups and LGBTQ advocates to pass bipartisan anti-discrimination protections. As recently as 2023, legislators approved a 6.4% pay raise for public school teachers while also expanding school choice.
BYU students and alumni should engage with this issue. Contact your legislators, support organizations advocating for workers’ rights, and raise awareness on campus and beyond. Strengthening families and communities means standing up for the teachers, firefighters, and police officers who serve us. Labor leaders are considering a referendum to repeal this law. Stay informed, get involved, and most importantly—don’t give up. Let’s stand up for those who sacrifice so much for us.
