Utah has officially prohibited collective bargaining for public employees, joining North Carolina and South Carolina as one of only three states with such a ban. Under a new law signed by Governor Spencer Cox, unions will no longer be able to negotiate wages and employment terms for teachers, police officers, firefighters, and other public workers.
The law, set to take effect on July 1, is expected to have significant implications for the labor movement nationwide. Experts warn that it reflects a broader push to limit union influence, coinciding with recent federal actions that have weakened worker protections.
The bill, passed by Utah’s Republican-led Legislature, faced strong resistance from public-sector unions, which organized protests and lobbied lawmakers in opposition. The Utah Education Association (UEA), representing approximately 18,000 teachers, had attempted to negotiate a compromise but ultimately rejected the final version of the bill.
Governor Cox expressed disappointment that lawmakers did not reach an agreement with union representatives. However, supporters of the measure argue that allowing unions to collectively bargain for public employees creates conflicts of interest and could place undue financial burdens on taxpayers.
Critics, including labor policy experts, view the law as part of a growing effort to curb public-sector unions and reduce spending on education and other public services. They warn that the decision could weaken organized labor at a time when federal labor protections are already under strain.
The move reverses recent progress for public-sector unions, such as Virginia’s partial repeal of a similar ban in 2020. Labor advocates fear that Utah’s decision could set a precedent for other states looking to restrict union rights further.