Utah to Vote on Public Union Bargaining Ban

Utah Governor Spencer Cox has ordered that HB 267, which would ban collective bargaining by public sector unions, be placed on the 2026 general election ballot after labor unions secured enough signatures for a veto referendum. The bill, passed in early 2025, has faced strong opposition from unions and public employees, who argue it would reduce union influence and harm worker protections. Supporters contend HB 267 promotes transparency, fairness, and better use of taxpayer resources. Implementation of the law is paused until the November 2026 vote, making this only the sixth veto referendum in Utah's history. All previous referenda in the state have resulted in the targeted laws being repealed. The battle over HB 267 has seen significant union campaign contributions, while the bill's supporters have reported little financial support.