In an extraordinary show of public power, Utah workers and their allies have submitted more than 320,000 signatures to place HB267, an anti-collective bargaining law, on the 2026 ballot for possible repeal. The bill, rammed through the Utah Legislature in just days and signed by Governor Cox, threatens the rights of tens of thousands of public workers—including educators, nurses, and first responders. Now, the people are pushing back.
“No group had more volunteers out in the field than the Utah Education Association,” said Renée Pinkney, president of the UEA. “We could not have reached this historic success without the tireless dedication of our educator members, who know firsthand how vital it is to protect the rights of public workers.”
“They said we couldn’t do it, but more than 320,000 people just proved them wrong,” said John Arthur, a 6th-grade teacher in Salt Lake City. “This isn’t about politics. It’s about people. It’s about making sure that the families who keep Utah running have a voice and a vote in shaping its future.”
This effort is on track to be the most successful citizen-led referendum in Utah history and that’s no small feat. Utah has some of the most restrictive laws in the country surrounding referenda and ballot initiatives, making it incredibly difficult for everyday people to challenge legislation through direct democracy. In Utah, referenda require more than 141,000 verified signatures, in just 30 days, across 15 of the 29 senate districts, all gathered in person without digital tools. That said, the success of this effort is historic and sends a clear message: Utahns still believe in checks and balances. They believe in accountability. They still believe in their power to lead.
“I believe in building stronger, safer communities,” said Donavan Minutes, a Salt Lake City Firefighter and member of Salt Lake City Firefighters Local 81. “Because when the alarm rings, we show up, no matter the risk. When it was passed, HB267 rang an alarm. It failed public workers, but I believe Utah won’t.”
Now, the next phase begins. A well-funded campaign, backed by the same legislators who passed HB267 and special interest groups, is actively working to get voters to remove their names from the referendum petition. They’re targeting signers with pressure, misinformation, and scare tactics to reverse their support. Organizers are urging Utahns to “keep your name, keep your voice” and to beware of misleading outreach from opposition groups.
“This law was a solution looking for a problem,” said Jessica Stauffer, a nurse and President of Utah Health Workers United, CWA Local 7765. “Lawmakers ignored our voices. So we took it to the people. And now they’re trying to erase us. But we’re not going anywhere.”
All referendum petition signatures will be verified by the Lt. Governor by June 21. If successful, HB267 will be on the November 2026 ballot, unless a special election is called.
COALITION PARTNERS:
Protect Utah Workers is a coalition of labor unions and public employees, including:
- AFSCME Local 1004
- AFT Utah
- Amalgamated Transit Union Local 382
- American Federation of Government Employees
- Communications Workers of America Local 7765
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 354
- International Union of Operating Engineers Local 3
- International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
- Operating Engineers Local 3
- Professional Firefighters of Utah
- Salt Lake Valley Law Enforcement Association
- Sheet Metal Workers Local 312
- Teamsters Local 222
- United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 99
- United Mine Workers
- United Mountain Workers
- Utah Education Association
- Utah Public Employees Association
- Utah School Employees Association
- Utah State Fraternal Order of Police
