Following up on Utah’s fight against legislative challenges to unions

Brad Asay, Vice President of the Utah AFL-CIO and President of the American Federation of Teachers in Utah, returned to the America's Work Force Union Podcast to update listeners on their fight against attacks on public sector collective bargaining rights, challenges faced by labor and the next steps in the fight.

Asay began by detailing the successful campaign led by the Protect Utah Workers coalition to challenge a new law prohibiting public sector collective bargaining. The coalition was able to gather more than 320,000 signatures, more than double the required amount, in just 30 days. This achievement, despite opposition from well-funded anti-union groups, highlights the strong public support for workers' rights in Utah. Asay credited the success to the united efforts by unions and community groups, demonstrating the power that lies in collective action.

The effort to contest the law wasn’t easy, as Asay explained, the coalition faced a counter-campaign by anti-union organizations urging voters to retract their signatures. He described the coalition's strategic response, which involved mobilizing over 5,000 volunteers and employing a robust ground game to gather signatures. Asay said the coalition's ability to exceed its signature goal in a limited timeframe showcased the determination and resilience of Utah's labor movement in the face of adversity.

Looking ahead, Asay outlined the next steps in the process, including the validation of signatures and potential ballot measures in 2026. He emphasized the coalition's readiness to defend its achievements against further attacks from anti-union groups. Asay said the planning and commitment to protecting workers' rights have provided union leadership with a potential game plan when challenging political environments.

Listen to the full episode above to hear more from Asay and the ongoing efforts to safeguard collective bargaining rights in Utah.