‘You made this possible’: Labor organizers submit twice the signatures needed to put bargaining ban to voters
Over 320,000 signatures were submitted in Utah to challenge a new law that bans collective bargaining for public employees like teachers, nurses, and first responders. The campaign, known as Protect Utah Workers, gathered more than twice the required amount, potentially placing the law on hold until a 2026 public vote—if enough signatures are verified across 15 state senate districts. Supporters say the law punishes public servants and undermines their rights, while backers of the bill claim it safeguards taxpayers. The verification process could take weeks, with a final decision expected by June 21.
See "‘You made this possible’: Labor organizers submit twice the signatures needed to put bargaining ban to voters", Robert Gehrke, The Salt Lake Tribune, April 16, 2025