SALT LAKE CITY – Gov. Spencer Cox has called the Utah Legislature into a Special Session that is set to begin at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9.
The governor’s call specifies that lawmakers will gather at the Capitol in Salt Lake City to “address several matters of state business.” At the top of that list will be repealing House Bill 267 (Public Sector Labor Union Amendments) which was passed during the General Session of the Legislature in March of 2025.
H.B. 267 prohibits public employers (like school districts or other public entities) from recognizing labor organizations as bargaining agents or entering into collective bargaining contracts.
Once again, however, the intent of the Republican super-majority in the Legislature has been thwarted by the threat of a voter referendum
In a press release issued Dec. 7, legislative leaders and a coalition of 21 public and private labor unions agreed that all public employees deserve a meaningful say in their compensation, benefits, performance and working conditions.
“It’s clear that the heated debate around these issues has created unnecessary division, which was never the intent,” according to a joint statement from Senate President J. Stuart Adams and House Speaker Mike Schultz. “Repealing the bill allows us to reset the discussion and move forward to ensure we get this right.”
H.B. 267 faced strong opposition during the previous general session, with some arguing it silences public educators, weakens unions in general and harms students and public schools.
Despite those criticisms, the Republican super-majority in the Legislature was able to muscle that controversial proposal through, establishing one of the most restrictive labor laws in the country in order to curb the political influence of unions, particularly those representing public school teachers.
Liberal teachers unions had been bitter opponents of Republican policies in Utah and other states where lawmakers have eliminated diversity, equity and inclusion programs; expanded school choice voucher programs; and restricted woke/transgender initiatives.
Opposition to H.B. 267 continued after the Legislature recessed under the aegis of Protect Utah Workers, an ad hoc group of labor partners, who filed a referendum on March 17 with the office of Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson to overturn House Bill 267.
On June 23, Cox acknowledged that the group — primarily representing teachers, firefighters, police and other public employees — had gathered enough signatures to put the issue on the ballot in 2026.
The backbone of the Protect Utah Workers organization was members of the Utah Education Association (UEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), two unions that represent public school teachers in Utah.
As the obvious target of the proposed legislation, the UEA argued furiously that H.B. 267 would weaken unions by restricting their ability to advocate for higher pay, better working conditions and student needs.
After months of heated rhetoric, the leaders of the PUW coalition adopted a conciliatory tone in victory.
“We know Utahns support the rights of public workers,” they added in the joint state issued Dec. 7 with legislative leaders. “The coalition thanks legislative leadership for listening to the people and appreciates the conversations we’ve had to support public employees.
“This repeal preserves the rights of first responders, educators and all other critical public workers who improve the lives of Utahns every day.”
The joint statement pledges that lawmakers and the PUW coalition will commit to working together in good faith to find the best approach to support public workers, promote accountability and deliver efficient and high-quality government services for all Utahns.