Brad Asay, President of the American Federation of Teachers in Utah and Vice President of the Utah AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the Protect Utah Workers coalition's successful petition drive, the upcoming ballot measure and efforts to safeguard public sector collective bargaining rights.
The coalition gathered over 320,000 signatures in just 30 days to challenge anti-union legislation, far surpassing the required 140,000 signatures. Asay said this unprecedented success demonstrated strong public opposition to the legislature's attempts to restrict collective bargaining. The ballot measure is now set for November 2026, giving unions time to build a comprehensive campaign and educate voters on the importance of protecting workers' rights, he added.
Asay highlighted the challenges ahead, including potential confusion over ballot language and well-funded opposition from groups like Americans for Prosperity. The coalition is working to refine the ballot language and develop strategies to clearly communicate the measure's significance to voters. Despite the delay until 2026, Asay expressed confidence in maintaining momentum through grassroots organizing and public education efforts.
The interview also touched on broader issues affecting Utah workers, including Sen. Mike Lee's controversial proposal to sell off public lands. Asay noted the strong, bipartisan pushback against this plan, emphasizing Utahns' deep connection to public lands and opposition to their privatization.
Tune in to the full episode for more insights on Utah's labor movement and the fight to protect workers' rights.