Amendment A, HB267, and the Utah Legislature’s Big Revenge Fantasy
Or, how to fail at constitutional amendments and blame the teachers instead
The More Things Change, The More They Stay the Same
Utah has always had a... let’s call it unique approach to labor relations. Since the pioneers hitched their wagons and rolled into the Salt Lake Valley, leadership has been big on "cooperation"—as long as they’re the ones in charge.
From Brigham Young’s early economic experiments to today’s legislative power grabs, there’s a consistent theme: workers rally for better conditions, leadership panics, and lawmakers scramble to pass laws that make sure nobody gets too many ideas.
HB267, which aims to strip public employees of their collective bargaining rights, is just the latest chapter in a very long story. But before we get into today’s drama, let’s take a little trip down memory lane—it’ll be fun!
The Long, Messy History of Labor in Utah
When the Mormon pioneers rolled into the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, they brought more than just wagons and a dream—they brought a tradition of cooperation and collective effort. Inspired by their experiences in Nauvoo, Illinois, and influenced by British trade unionism brought over by converts, they formed guilds and cooperatives. Tailors, blacksmiths, wagon makers—everyone was in on it, pooling resources and labor like a 19th-century Costco membership (minus free samples, probably).
At first, this communal spirit was all sunshine and shared resources. Self-sufficiency and teamwork weren’t just encouraged—they were the way of life. But then, workers got a little too comfortable and started asking for wild things like “fair pay,” “basic rights,” and “not dying on the job.” Suddenly, that whole cooperation vibe took a turn, and leadership wasn’t quite as eager to lend a helping hand when it meant workers actually getting what they needed.
Then, in 1869, the transcontinental railroad came barreling through, and with it, a wave of non-Mormon workers who brought radical new ideas. These outside influences introduced Utah to organized labor in ways the LDS Church couldn’t control. Unions such as the Knights of Labor and the Western Federation of Miners started making waves, demanding safer conditions and better pay in Utah’s booming mining industry. Church leaders didn’t love that. They saw unions as a direct threat—not just to economic stability, but to their overall authority. Because when workers started organizing on their own terms, it disrupted the tightly managed order Utah leadership had worked so hard to build.
Things really came to a head with the Carbon County Coal Strikes of 1903-1904. Immigrant miners were done with the grueling hours, dangerous conditions, and pitiful wages. They teamed up with the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) to demand better. But Utah had a Church-owned newspaper where they encouraged local LDS communities to cross picket lines, painting unionization as a foreign influence threatening their way of life. The Church-backed Utah Fuel Company wasn’t just resisting union demands; they were strategically stoking fears, portraying immigrant workers as dangerous outsiders who didn’t share “Utah values.” Sound familiar? Because it should….
Despite the workers' efforts, the state’s hostility toward organized labor never really faded. By the mid-20th century, Utah’s anti-union stance was fully locked in with the passage of the 1955 right-to-work law. Signed by Governor J. Bracken Lee (Utah’s last non-Mormon governor who fired the police chief after the Gov got busted at an illegal poker club–not relevant necessarily but some amazing Utah history), this law banned union security agreements, ensuring that no worker could be forced to join a union as a condition of employment. With that, Utah became one of the least union-friendly states in the country, a distinction it proudly holds today.
But this wasn’t just about economics—it was about control. By keeping unions weak, state leadership could maintain its tight grip on everything from wages to working conditions, ensuring that any attempt to organize could be dismissed as an “outsider” idea.
The Fall of Amendments A and D
First, there was Amendment D, their attempt to grab more power over citizen-led initiatives. It was a classic overreach, and it flopped spectacularly when lawmakers forgot to follow some very basic constitutional procedures—like publishing it in newspapers statewide. Oops. (We wrote a whole substack about it here)
Then came Amendment A, their big plan to strip a 100-year-old constitutional earmark protecting public education funding. Same deal as Amendent D, Utah Education Association (UEA) sued, pointing out that lawmakers, once again, failed to follow the rules. Instead of admitting their mistake, lawmakers doubled down, deciding that the real villains here were... teachers.
So, what did lawmakers do after these double face plants? They could’ve taken a moment of self-reflection, maybe a little “live, laugh, learn” energy. Instead, they decided the real problem wasn’t their incompetence—it was the people who caught them. Enter HB267, their petty revenge plot against public sector unions, because when you can’t follow the rules, the next best thing is punishing the teachers who can.
Enter HB267: The Retaliation Plan
And here we are, back in the present day, with lawmakers once again setting their sights on public sector unions—because apparently, nothing says “good governance” like punishing the people who teach our kids, fight our fires, and keep our communities safe. Enter HB267, a bill designed to strip public employees of their collective bargaining rights and, in turn, their ability to negotiate for fair wages, benefits, and working conditions.
If passed, HB267 would prevent government employers from recognizing unions as bargaining agents. That means no more negotiating for better pay, job protections, or even access to retirement benefits—leaving public workers completely at the mercy of the state. Supporters of the bill claim it’s about “opening up the free market,” but let’s be real—it’s about consolidating power and making sure teachers, firefighters, and police officers have as little leverage as possible. The message is clear: take what you’re given and don’t ask questions.
For Utah’s teachers—who already rank among the lowest-paid educators in the country—HB267 is just another blow to an already strained profession. Without union representation, retaining qualified teachers will become even harder, driving more educators out of the classroom and into other states where their work is valued. And let’s not forget—high teacher turnover isn’t just a logistical nightmare; it’s a direct hit to student success and community stability.
As UEA President Renée Pinkney put it: "If we don’t have competitive compensation packages that honor our role as educators, then we’re going to have more people leaving the profession."
And she’s right. Teachers can’t pay rent with “passion for shaping young minds,” and firefighters can’t feed their families on “dedication to public service.”
HB267 isn’t about fiscal responsibility—it’s about control. And if lawmakers succeed in pushing it through, public workers across Utah will be left with fewer rights, fewer protections, and even fewer reasons to stick around.
History Has a Funny Way of Repeating Itself
If there’s one thing Utah lawmakers are good at, it’s recycling bad ideas. The battle for fair working conditions in the Beehive State isn’t new— and every time workers push for their fair share, those in power push right back—hard.
Utah has a long-standing tradition of cooperation, pooling resources to help communities thrive. But let’s be honest—this “cooperative spirit” has always worked best when it benefits those at the top. If you’re a teacher, a firefighter, or a public worker, that spirit suddenly gets a little less cooperative when you start asking for things like fair wages and basic job protections. Funny how that works, right?
Lawmakers have spent decades perfecting the art of union-busting—from the church-backed efforts to break mining strikes in the early 1900s to the passage of the 1955 right-to-work law that cemented Utah’s reputation as one of the least union-friendly states in the country. And now, with HB267, they’re at it again—trying to silence the voices of those who make our communities run.
But here’s the thing: Utah workers have always fought back. From immigrant miners standing up to unsafe conditions to today’s educators demanding fair pay, the fight for dignity, respect, and economic security is woven into our state’s history.
Ready to Push Back? Here’s How, TODAY:
If HB267 passes through committee, it will move to the full House for consideration. But today is just the first step—and this is where you come in.
Utah’s history is full of people who stood up, spoke out, and refused to back down. Now it’s our turn. Whether you’re a teacher, a firefighter, a student, or just someone who believes in fairness, your voice matters. Lawmakers need to hear—loud and clear—that we won’t sit back while they dismantle workers' rights.
Contact your legislators and let them know you oppose HB267. Calls and emails can make a real impact.
Show up to the committee hearing today and make your voice heard. Public comments are a powerful tool. HB267 is being heard in the House Business and Labor Committee today at 2 PM in Capitol Room 445 in the State Capitol.
If you live in a district represented by a member of the House Business and Labor Committee, click here to use UEA’s tool to send them an email.
Support the UEA by spreading awareness on social media and encouraging others to get involved.
Write letters to local newspapers calling out lawmakers for their blatant retaliation and anti-education stance.
Follow our social media to stay up to date:
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