Copyright Salt Lake Tribune
Dear Utah legislators, I am writing to urge you to oppose any “repeal-and-replace” maneuver on HB267, the ban on public union collective bargaining. The future of this law should be decided by voters in 2026 — not through backroom negotiations at the Capitol. As a retired educator, I find the provisions of HB267 deeply troubling. This bill restricts the rights of public employees — including educators, law enforcement officers and firefighters — to participate in collective bargaining. These individuals dedicate their lives to serving and protecting the people of Utah, often at great personal risk. They deserve the right to negotiate in good faith for fair wages, benefits and working conditions. There is no rational justification for stripping away these rights. To many of us who have served in public roles, this bill appears to be blatant anti-labor legislation. Colleagues in education and law enforcement share the view that HB267 feels retaliatory — particularly in response to the UEA’s lawsuit regarding Amendment 4 on the 2024 ballot. It is also clear that the Legislature is reluctant to allow voters a say on the Utah Prohibit Public Sector Collective Bargaining Referendum. That raises an important question: Why fear direct democracy? Perhaps it is because the public would likely reject this legislation, or because strong voter turnout in 2026 might impact tightly controlled congressional districts. I urge you to respect the democratic process. Please allow voters — not political maneuvering — to decide the fate of HB267. Clay Pearce, Sandy
