Labor & Employment (Collective Bargaining)

SB 249 establishes a Labor Relations Board to oversee collective bargaining for public employees in Utah. The bill creates a board with five members (the Labor Commission commissioner plus four governor-appointed members representing employers and employees) and sets rules for representation elections, mandatory bargaining between public employers and unions, and dispute resolution through mediation or arbitration. It prohibits police officers from striking and requires unions to represent all employees without discrimination. The bill also outlines procedures for investigating unfair labor practices and administering collective bargaining agreements, affecting all state and local government employees covered by the new rules.

SB 178 repeals Utah's existing Right to Work Law, which currently prohibits mandatory union membership and dues payments for workers. This bill removes all 17 sections of the law (including protections against forced union membership and requirements for union dues) that apply to employers and employees across Utah. The repeal takes effect on May 6, 2026, with one specific section changing on November 28, 2026. This directly affects all Utah workplaces covered by the repealed law, eliminating legal barriers to union membership requirements.