The Utah Legislature recently passed HB267, a law that removes the right of public workers — including teachers, firefighters, nurses and police officers — to collectively bargain for fair wages, benefits and working conditions. This decision has significant implications for the people who serve our communities, and it’s important for us to come together to address its impact.
I understand firsthand how challenging it can be to advocate for better working conditions in Utah. When I was 20, working at a downtown Starbucks while attending the University of Utah, I struggled to make ends meet. Even with a scholarship and savings from high school jobs, the costs of car insurance, groceries, rent, tuition and gas were overwhelming. My parents, like most working-class families, couldn’t afford to pay for my college or rent, so I relied on my own resources. Without those savings, I would have faced significant student debt.
Working at Starbucks was more demanding than many realize. The stress of long lines, impatient customers, broken equipment, short staffing and corporate expectations was constant — all for $12 an hour, far below the $18 needed to cover basic living expenses in Salt Lake City in 2021. My coworkers and I shared these frustrations, so we decided to take action. We quietly passed around union cards and voted 25-1 to hold a union election. However, we weren’t prepared for the challenges that followed. Management held mandatory meetings, warned us about potential job losses, removed union information, posted anti-union messages, cut hours and fired employees over minor issues. I believe Utah’s “right to work” laws and the weakened National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) enabled these tactics. This experience showed me how difficult it can be to organize in Utah.
With that being said, HB267 is more than just another policy change — it directly removes the ability for teachers, firefighters, nurses and public employees to bargain with the state for better working conditions. Without the ability to collectively bargain, these workers lose their voice in advocating for fair wages, benefits and sustainable working conditions. This could mean police officers and firefighters losing the ability to advocate for safe staffing levels, putting public safety at risk. It could mean teachers, already underpaid, facing even lower wages, making it harder to attract and retain quality educators. And it could mean nurses and public health workers losing the ability to bargain for safer workplaces, jeopardizing the care they provide.
When workers’ rights are weakened, it doesn’t just affect them — it impacts all of us.
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Fortunately, there is a way to address this. The Protect Utah Workers ballot referendum allows voters to overturn HB267 and restore collective bargaining rights for public workers. A referendum lets citizens challenge a law by collecting signatures to place it on the ballot for a public vote. In Utah, this requires gathering a significant number of signatures within a limited time frame — a challenging but achievable task. If successful, voters can decide whether to keep or reject HB267.
This effort won’t be easy but, by working together, we can make a difference. Across the state, people are mobilizing to collect signatures, educate voters and advocate for workers’ rights. Every signature, conversation and person who joins this effort brings us closer to restoring fairness and dignity to Utah’s workforce.
Now is the time to take action. You can:
When the time comes, I urge you to vote to overturn HB267 and stand up for public workers. A stronger Utah starts with ensuring that those who keep our state running are treated with respect and fairness. Together, we can work toward a future where all workers have the protections and opportunities they deserve. Every action, big or small, brings us closer to restoring fairness and dignity for all Utah workers.
(Luke Laro) Luke Laro is earning his Business Administration degree at Western Governors University.
Luke Laro, born in Salt Lake City and raised in Draper, is earning his Business Administration degree at Western Governors University. He manages work and studies while exploring Utah’s outdoors, playing piano and working as a barista at Alpha Coffee.
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