
By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News | Photo Courtesy of the Protect Utah Workers Coalition
The Protect Utah Workers Coalition announced on Wednesday that they would not be supporting any replacement bill for HB267, the controversial piece of legislation that sought to remove collective bargaining rights across government organizations.
The coalition, which consists of 21 labor organizations including the Teamsters, Utah Education Association and the United Mine Workers, spearheaded a referendum effort to place the measure on the ballot for voters to decide.
In May, the bill was paused from going into effect after the referendum garnered enough signatures to be placed on the ballot. In June, Gov. Spencer Cox issued an executive order putting the bill on the 2026 ballot.
Cox has been vocal about his dislike for the bill since signing it into law in February. In an April news conference, the Governor said he,” didn’t like the bill. It wasn’t something I was interested in, not something I would run.”
In July, Cox also apologized to teachers at the “Show Up For Teachers” summer conference. “I know it’s been a rough year. I want to apologize for adding to that harshness that you felt during this year. Certainly, not my intention.”
The legislature is expected to discuss the future of the bill during a special session in September, prompting the coalition to state,” it will not support any replacement bill for HB 267.”
“Our position is clear: Every public worker in Utah deserves the right to be heard and represented,” said airport employee and AFSCME Local 1004 President Jerry Philpot. “The right to negotiate safe working conditions and better resources for our communities is nonnegotiable.”
The coalition also states that it is “ready for voters to decide HB 267’s future at the ballot box,” but will urge lawmakers to overturn the bill during the September session.
“If lawmakers doubt where Utah stands, they should read the numbers,” Philpot said. “The public is on the side of educators, firefighters, police officers, nurses, airport workers, state chemists, librarians, plow drivers, public health workers, custodial staff, transit workers and every public worker who keeps our state running.”
“The Protect Utah Workers coalition believes Utah is stronger when public workers have a protected voice in the workplace,” reads a release from the organization. “The September special session offers lawmakers the chance to restore those rights by repealing HB 267. If no action is taken, the coalition remains committed to defeating the law at the ballot box in November 2026.”
If the bill is to reach the ballot box, it will set up a showdown between anti-union and pro-union groups. Roughly $3 million was poured into the referendum effort, mainly from national teachers’ organizations. Both sides are expected to spend millions as the issue reaches the ballot.