On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Brad Asay, Vice President of the Utah AFL-CIO, joined the show to highlight a significant legislative victory for public sector workers in the state. Asay discussed the successful effort to repeal the controversial H.B. 267, which would have eliminated collective bargaining rights for teachers, police officers, firefighters and other public employees.
Asay began by outlining the origins of H.B. 267, a bill passed during the 2025 legislative session that banned collective bargaining for public employees in the state of Utah. Rather than accept this sweeping attack on workers' rights, Asay and five other union leaders immediately launched a referendum effort, aiming for the daunting goal of gathering 140,000 signatures in just 30 days. Their efforts exceeded all expectations, collecting over 320,000 signatures — the most ever on a referendum in Utah’s history. Asay said the public show of support made it clear to lawmakers that the community stood in support of organized labor.
He described how Utah unions and associations, through a coalition called Protect Utah Workers, united across sectors and withstood attempts by legislators to divide them through deals and “carve-outs.” Holding the line on solidarity, Asay said they declined to compromise the rights of any single group, which proved critical in maintaining collective bargaining power. Ultimately, Republican leaders approached union representatives to negotiate, recognizing the political and social cost of continuing the fight. The outcome was a special session that repealed H.B. 267 and included assurances against anti-union legislation in the coming year.
Finally, Asay emphasized the importance of coalitions and community involvement, offering advice for union leaders beyond Utah. He noted that building alliances with the public and other labor groups is now as important as membership numbers, saying “the new union density is community.” Asay added that educating the public, refusing to fragment under pressure and sticking together, labor in Utah demonstrated that victories are possible, even in So-Called “Right To Work” states.
For more on organized labor’s unified victory in Utah, listen to the full episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast above.
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