Utah Education Association President Renée Pinkney was recognized June 4 by the Utah School Employees Association (USEA) for her leadership and advocacy on behalf of education support professionals during the 2025 General Session of the Utah Legislature.
The award, presented by USEA President Mike Evans, symbolizes the deepening solidarity between Utah’s labor unions, which represent both licensed educators and essential school support staff, including food service workers, custodians, maintenance teams, and school bus drivers.
President Evans called Pinkney's leadership “a powerful example of what can happen when educators and support professionals stand united.”
Pinkney’s recognition follows a legislative session defined by sharp political attacks on labor rights and public education. Throughout the session, she was a tireless advocate for fair treatment, respect, and rights for all education professionals. Under her leadership, the UEA joined forces with USEA and other unions to push back against HB267, a controversial law aimed at dismantling collective bargaining rights for public sector workers.
Jack Tidrow, representing Utah’s professional firefighters, also received an award from USEA for playing a pivotal role in the coalition effort to oppose the legislation.
As part of the Protect Utah Workers coalition, UEA, USEA, and Professional Fire Fighters of Utah joined forces with other unions to mount the most successful referendum signature-gathering campaigns in state history, collecting 251,000 in just 30 days to put HB267 on the ballot.
