Utah Education Association Joins Labor Partners Filing Referendum
The following is available for immediate public release:
Salt Lake City, UT – This afternoon, a group of labor partners filed a referendum to overturn HB 267: Public Sector Labor Union Amendments, which stripped public employees of their right to collectively bargain. Protect Utah Workers represents a broad alliance of police, nurses, teachers, and public sector employees committed to restoring fairness and giving workers a stronger voice in Utah.
"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," said Renee Pinkney, President of the Utah Education Association (UEA). "This referendum allows Utah voters to right that wrong and ensure workers have a seat at the table."
President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Utah Brad Asay highlighted the direct impact on educators: "Teachers don’t just teach, they advocate. Without collective bargaining, we’ve lost our ability to fight for the resources our students need. Utah’s lawmakers have made it clear they don’t value our voice, but we know the people of Utah do."
Carlos Vasquez with Teamsters Local 222, reinforced the urgency of the campaign: "Workers across Utah are under attack. This referendum is about power: who holds it and who gets a say. Right now, politicians have the power but we’re fighting to give it back to the people."
CWA Local 7765 President Jessica Stauffer emphasized the broader implications: "This isn’t just about one profession; it’s about protecting the rights of all working people. The legislature has not only taken away bargaining rights but also made it nearly impossible for voters to challenge bad laws, but we are ready to meet the challenge."
“For decades, Salt Lake City has successfully operated within a collective bargaining framework that allowed employees and employers to work together to solve problems and improve public services,” said Jerry Philpot, President of AFSCME Local 1004. “This bill didn’t fix a broken system–it shattered one that worked.”
The coalition is now mobilizing across the state to collect signatures and is calling on all Utahns who support workers’ rights to volunteer to gather signatures. Protect Utah Workers will host signature collection events across the state and provide training for those willing to help gather signatures.
"We need every person who believes in fairness to step up, sign the referendum, and help us bring this issue to the ballot," said Pinkney.
Protect Utah Workers
For more information on volunteering or finding a signing event, visit protectutahworkers.com.
Salt Lake City, UT – This afternoon, a group of labor partners filed a referendum to overturn HB 267: Public Sector Labor Union Amendments, which stripped public employees of their right to collectively bargain. Protect Utah Workers represents a broad alliance of police, nurses, teachers, and public sector employees committed to restoring fairness and giving workers a stronger voice in Utah.
"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," said Renee Pinkney, President of the Utah Education Association (UEA). "This referendum allows Utah voters to right that wrong and ensure workers have a seat at the table."
President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Utah Brad Asay highlighted the direct impact on educators: "Teachers don’t just teach, they advocate. Without collective bargaining, we’ve lost our ability to fight for the resources our students need. Utah’s lawmakers have made it clear they don’t value our voice, but we know the people of Utah do."
Carlos Vasquez with Teamsters Local 222, reinforced the urgency of the campaign: "Workers across Utah are under attack. This referendum is about power: who holds it and who gets a say. Right now, politicians have the power but we’re fighting to give it back to the people."
CWA Local 7765 President Jessica Stauffer emphasized the broader implications: "This isn’t just about one profession; it’s about protecting the rights of all working people. The legislature has not only taken away bargaining rights but also made it nearly impossible for voters to challenge bad laws, but we are ready to meet the challenge."
“For decades, Salt Lake City has successfully operated within a collective bargaining framework that allowed employees and employers to work together to solve problems and improve public services,” said Jerry Philpot, President of AFSCME Local 1004. “This bill didn’t fix a broken system–it shattered one that worked.”
The coalition is now mobilizing across the state to collect signatures and is calling on all Utahns who support workers’ rights to volunteer to gather signatures. Protect Utah Workers will host signature collection events across the state and provide training for those willing to help gather signatures.
"We need every person who believes in fairness to step up, sign the referendum, and help us bring this issue to the ballot," said Pinkney.
Protect Utah Workers
- 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
For more information on volunteering or finding a signing event, visit protectutahworkers.com.
