Utah Legislature Bans Collective Bargaining For Teachers Unions And Other Public Sector Jobs

Labor unions that serve teachers, firefighters, police and other public employees in Utah will no longer be able to negotiate on behalf of their workers under a bill that received final legislative approval Thursday.

The Republican policy banning collective bargaining for all public sector professions passed the Senate in a 16-13 vote after its sponsors abandoned a proposed compromise that would have removed the outright ban. After days of negotiations, some unions still disapproved, leading lawmakers to move forward with the more restrictive original version that had already passed the House.

"If there's not going to be consensus, then let's just run it on its face," said Sen. Kirk Cullimore, the bill's Senate sponsor.

Labor experts say the proposal, which is headed to the governor's desk, would establish one of the most restrictive labor laws in the country as Republicans seek to curb the political influence of teachers unions.

The move in Utah comes as President Donald Trump is preparing to gut the U.S. Education Department to the greatest extent of his power by slashing spending and pressuring employees to quit.