Inside Voices: Utah union bill ‘will result in significant harm’

Happy Saturday, and welcome to Inside Voices, a weekly newsletter that features a collection of ideas, perspectives and solutions from across Utah — without any of the vitriol or yelling that’s become all too common on other platforms. Subscribe here.

In a bill passed this week, Utah lawmakers banned collective bargaining rights for public employees. It now heads to the governor’s desk to be signed. This comes after days of negotiations with public sector unions who were hoping to reach a compromise with legislators, Carmen Nesbitt reported.

In our Voices section, impacted Utahns sounded off about HB267 — which sponsor Rep. Jordan Teuscher, R-South Jordan, says is about “safeguarding public resources.”

• “Our public employees build in communities around Utah every day, I know from my time working for the city and county,” writes Cody Weaver, organizer for the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 140, in an op-ed. “These workers are builders, and bills like HB267, which undermines the collective voice of workers in the workplace, make it harder — not easier — to build big things in our state.”

• “This bill is a solution in search of a problem that, if passed, will result in significant harm to you, the taxpayers, our dedicated professionals and the constituencies we serve — especially the kids,” writes educator Deborah Gatrell in an op-ed.

On The Tribune’s Instagram page, other Utahns shared their feelings.

• “Our union is the only reason I’ve been able to continue my job as a school social worker. This bill and the bills in progress have me terrified.”

• “The real question is why is the legislature afraid of public employees such as educators, police and fire? Last time I checked these are the people in the community that support people to keep our communities safe. Are they after the money in the Utah State retirement system? What is the purpose?”

• “Public sector unions should be banned and outlawed.”

Follow us on Instagram to join the conversation, and learn more about how you can share your perspective via an op-ed or letter to the editor.

Utah Voices

The following excerpts come from op-eds recently published in The Tribune.

The Utah Fits All Scholarship

• “Though Utahns may disagree about the details of educational methods and policies, I believe we are united in wanting educated citizens who are intellectually engaged, emotionally and socially mature and prepared to contribute to society in positive ways,” writes home educator Naomi Burton. “With the broad range of learning styles, family resources and health limitations or disabilities, it follows that there is not an effective, one-size fits all model of educating children. In order for every student to thrive, they need an educational method that fits and the funding flexible enough to foster it.” Read more.

The U.S.-Mexico border

• “I witnessed a young girl, separated from her family and living in an orphanage, playing with a Barbie house. What does ‘playing house’ look like for a migrant child with no home?” writes chaplain Jenny Richards. “I witnessed a room in a Tijuana shelter where 70 families sleep in poor conditions. Lice. Bedbugs. One family per bed. No privacy. The smell of urine. More, many more, are expected. They have nowhere else to go.” Read more.

Sundance Film Festival

• “I’m sure Sundance would be fine in Cincinnati. But it’s great in Utah,” writes Brian Higgins, a writer and comedian in Salt Lake City. “And in a world where it seems harder and harder to create and keep great traditions, it’d be a shame to lose this one. And I say all of this as a daily PC commuter. I understand the traffic and congestion problems that consume the town for two weeks each January. But as I crawl through traffic and see the snowy sign just off of Main Street showcasing its familiar ‘This Week: Sundance Film Festival,’ it feels a bit like greeting an old friend. And sure, old friends move away sometimes. But it’s better when they don’t.” Read more.

Youth sports

• “Youth sports today face a crisis of priorities. Instead of fostering joy, balance and exploration, too many programs push kids to specialize early and prioritize winning above all else,” writes athlete, coach and father Andy Phillips. “This relentless pressure to succeed risks robbing children of the very things that make sports worthwhile: self-discovery, creativity and the freedom to grow. If we want to raise well-rounded individuals, not just athletes, we need to rethink how we approach youth development and refocus on what truly matters.” Read more.

A free press

• “Maybe lawmakers don’t believe freelancers who publish online are journalists. But the Supreme Court disagrees,” writes First Amendment attorney Caitlin Vogus. “So does Utah Sen. Mike Lee, who last Congress co-sponsored a federal shield law that would have protected freelance and independent journalists from being forced to reveal their sources. Utah’s own reporter-source shield law also covers independent reporters. More importantly, excluding independent journalists reduces Utahns’ access to information.” Read more.

Young Utahns

• “I lived in Utah up until I went to college,” writes student Jack Clark. “I have always wanted to raise a family in this state — and live in a state that has clean air, a fair representative government and reasonably affordable housing. Yet the Utah Republican party chooses to focus on the absurdity of the ‘culture wars.’” Read more.

Share Your Perspective

What bills are you tracking in this legislative session? Let me know which efforts concern — or excite — you.

From Bagley’s Desk

I’m always looking for unique perspectives, ideas and solutions that move our state forward. Learn more about our guidelines for an op-ed, guest essay, letter to the editor and more here, and drop me a note at voices@sltrib.com.