Category: working families

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Reddit: Who profits from Teuscher’s HB 267?

Disclaimer: I’m the person who ran against Teuscher in last year’s election. A question was posted in the r/Utah sub Reddit: Who profits from Teuscher’s HB267? that I’d like to respond to. This post was too long to submit so I’m publishing it here and providing the link in the thread.

Jordan is an idealist, and his beliefs are his virtue.

Jordan is bent on weakening organized labor, breaking the public school system, and taking voter rights away from Utah voters. He is an acolyte of the conservative right ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council) and under the wing of Utah Senate President Stuart Adams, who is a past National Chairman of ALEC.

Teuscher is the primary officer of the Conservative Millennials PAC, whose members include Rep. Candice Pierucci (sponsor of voucher programs to de-fund public schools); Kera Birkeland (sponsor of anti-trans legislation); and Anthony Loubet (relatively quiet on bills but votes in favor of legislation from the group). This group is responsible for some serious shit legislation in Utah.

Teuscher is doubling down in a multi-year effort to purge unions for public employees, with the intent of weakening labor overall in Utah. He wants to see public education de-funded. He is the sponsor of copy/paste legislation that was introduced in other conservative states to move on a national agenda. He is supported by his PAC, by Schultz (House Speaker), by Adams (Senate President), and the Utah GOP.

It’s worth mentioning Teuscher’s pettiness. The UEA advocated strongly against constitutional amendments that were on the ballot last year, and particularly for an amendment that would have discarded protections for public school funding, which would force education spending to compete in the general fund. HB267 is Teuscher’s retribution.

Incoming Funds

Aside from contributions, Teuscher’s campaign funding was coming from in-kind services provided by (primarily) the Utah Republican Party (disclosures here), and the conservative Utah Taxpayers Association (disclosures here), which covered multiple thousands of spend on signs and mailers. All of Teuscher’s reported campaign finances are on the disclosure site here, and for the Conservative Millennials PAC here.

I would also raise a concern that Jordan is a strong proponent of blockchain and crypto, and would like more transparency on his investments and funds received using cryptocurrency or collected transaction fees.

Read more (links to articles in this blog)

Vote “No” on HB267 Public Sector Labor Union Amendments
https://utah44.com/vote-no-hb267/

Teuscher Would Make Slaves Of Us All
https://utah44.com/teuscher-would-make-slaves-of-us-all/

Teuscher is No Friend to Teachers
https://utah44.com/teuscher-is-no-friend-to-teachers/

It’s Decision Time
https://utah44.com/decision-time/

Celebrating Labor Day in Utah
https://utah44.com/celebrating-labor-day-in-utah/

For Jordan, there is no South Jordan or West Jordan, there is only Jordan Teuscher
https://utah44.com/three-jordans/

Supporting Public Schools
https://utah44.com/supporting-public-schools/

Defending our Public Employees
https://utah44.com/defending-our-public-employees/

How Can We Support Public Education?
https://utah44.com/how-can-we-support-public-education/

Representing Working Families
https://utah44.com/representing-working-families/

A Democrat Running in a Red District
https://utah44.com/a-democrat-running-in-a-red-district/

Jordan Teuscher wants SpEd students out of public schools
https://utah44.com/jordan-teuscher-wants-sped-students-out-of-public-schools/

My Response: 2024 Utah Education Association PAC Survey
https://utah44.com/response-2024-utah-education-association-survey/

My Response: 2024 Utah Parents for Teachers Survey
https://utah44.com/response-2024-utah-parents-for-teachers-endorsement-survey/

My Letter: Vote AGAINST Repeal of Educational Equity Rule (R277-328)
https://utah44.com/letter-vote-against-repeal-of-educational-equity-rule-r277-328/

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Vote “No” on HB267 Public Sector Labor Union Amendments

To Sen Daniel McCay and the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee

I urge you to vote “No” on HB267 Public Sector Labor Union Amendments. In the current version (HB267 Sub 1) the bill seeks to:

  1. End collective bargaining – prohibits a public employer from recognizing a labor organization as a bargaining agent for public employees; and prohibits a public employer from entering into collective bargaining contracts. Because public employees are not covered by the National Labor Relations Act, Teuscher is targeting them.
  2. Prohibit the use of public property – (think schools, parks, libraries, community centers, and the public employee workspace) for groups conducting union organizing or administration. For example, if teachers wanted to meet in the library at the end of the day to discuss topics that might include information about their UEA membership, they would not be allowed to do so.
  3. Mandate reporting to the Labor Commission – The public employer could certainly provide information to the Labor Commission on the number of members with payroll deduction of dues, but members who pay directly and choose to remain anonymous should be allowed to do so without fear of retribution. Similarly, the amounts of spend by a labor organization for representation, lobbying, donations, activities, or giving should not require disclosure to the Labor Commission. The members are the stakeholders of the labor organization, not the Labor Commission.
  4. Kills Retirement for Some Public Employees by forcing former public employees who were previously part of the Utah Retirement System to exit that system if they are later employed by a labor organization
  5. Introduces ambiguous definition of “Political purposes” that can be broadly interpreted as any literally any conversation or action if it results in a decision or action.

Unions are one of the most important tools to address the disparity of wealth distribution, and a legitimate tool to manage the welfare and way of life for Utahns.  HB267 includes provisions that effectively destroy public employee unions in Utah. Key language of the bill takes away collective bargaining rights, which is a fundamental characteristic of a union. This is the third attempt by Jordan Teuscher to push this form of union-busting bill through the legislature.

  • 2025 HB267 Public Sector Labor Union Amendments
  • 2024 HB285 Labor Union Amendments
  • 2023 HB241 Labor Union Amendments

Each year that Teuscher introduced legislation to actively dismantle worker rights for public employees, it was killed due to overwhelming opposition from the public.

A patent lie:

“Businesses have to make a profit or they go out of business. Government never goes out of business,” he said. “Because of that inherent obstacle with public sector collective bargaining, it really doesn’t make sense to continue to do it in our state.” – Rep. Jordan Teuscher, Fox 13 interview (Jan 22, 2025)

To suggest that public employees are tapping an unlimited resource of payroll funding simply because they work for a government entity is ridiculous. The ability to negotiate, (including collective bargaining) for a prevailing wage, let alone any wage, is material to any employee regardless of their employer or the industry that they work in.

Gregory Green, Resident
House District 44, Senate District 17
South Jordan, Utah

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Teuscher Would Make Slaves Of Us All

Update: Email your Utah House Representative ahead of Monday, January 27 here: https://myuea.org/advocating-for-change/action-center/take-action/email-your-utah-house-representative-now

Jordan Teuscher is back with the introduction of HB267 Public Sector Labor Union Amendments, with added provisions that effectively destroy public employee unions in Utah. Key language of the bill takes away collective bargaining rights, which is a fundamental characteristic of a union. He repeatedly submits bills attempting to dismantle worker rights, and he consistently targets our public employees every time.

Among other things, the 2025 bill language seeks to:

  • End collective bargaining – prohibits a public employer from recognizing a labor organization as a bargaining agent for public employees; and prohibits a public employer from entering into collective bargaining contracts. Because public employees are not covered by the National Labor Relations Act, Teuscher is targeting them.
  • Prohibit the use of public property – (think schools, parks, libraries, community centers, and the public employee workspace) for groups conducting union organizing or administration. For example, if teachers wanted to meet in the library at the end of the day to discuss topics that might include information about their UEA membership, they would not be allowed to do so.
  • Mandate reporting to the Labor Commission – (assumed the Utah Labor Commission although this is not defined in the bill) there is direct concern about why the labor commission would need any financial accounting or member count of a legally separate entity. The public employer could certainly provide information to the Labor Commission on the number of members with payroll deduction of dues, but members who pay directly and choose to remain anonymous should be allowed to do so without fear of retribution. Similarly, the amounts of spend by a labor organization for representation, lobbying, donations, activities, or giving should not require disclosure to the Labor Commission. The members are the stakeholders of the labor organization, not the Labor Commission.
  • Kills Retirement for Some Public Employees by forcing former public employees who were previously part of the Utah Retirement System to exit that system if they are later employed by a labor organization
  • Introduces ambiguous definition of “Political purposes” that can be broadly interpreted as any literally any conversation or action if it results in a decision or action. See lines 124-127 of Chapter 32, Part 1, Section 101(4).
  • Authorize the Utah State Attorney General to pursue compliance through civil actions if they fail to prohibit public employers from collective bargaining (although no mechanism of reporting a dispute is provided.) See lines 274-275 of Chapter 32, Part 3, Section 301(2).

Unions are one of the most important tools to address the disparity of wealth distribution, and a legitimate tool to manage the welfare and way of life for Utahns.  Teuscher has submitted bills in past legislative sessions that work against worker rights. We are facing anti-union actions from a national level to degrade unions in Utah. Groups like ‘Workers for Opportunity’ and ‘Mackinac Center for Public Policy’ are engaging with conservative legislators to introduce legislation veiled as “worker freedom”, but in reality represent a furthering of “right-to-work” policies that weaken labor laws and tear down worker rights. Teuscher is a copy/paste legislator introducing right-wing legislation from ALEC that was also run in Texas and Florida. He’s doing the same thing working with the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) whose focus is to push, repackage and franchise conservative agendas. He literally takes his cues from national right-wing think tanks rather than representing the people of Utah.  

This is the third attempt by Jordan Teuscher to push this form of union-busting bill through the legislature.

Each year that Teuscher introduced legislation to actively dismantle worker rights for public employees, it has been killed due to overwhelming opposition from the public.

A patent lie:

“Businesses have to make a profit or they go out of business. Government never goes out of business,” he said. “Because of that inherent obstacle with public sector collective bargaining, it really doesn’t make sense to continue to do it in our state.” – Rep. Jordan Teuscher, Fox 13 interview (Jan 22, 2025)

To suggest that public employees are tapping an unlimited resource of payroll funding simply because they work for a government entity is ridiculous. The ability to negotiate, (including collective bargaining) for a prevailing wage, let alone any wage, is material to any employee regardless of their employer or the industry that they work in.

Teuscher is an acolyte of the legislative supermajority. He is a primary sponsor of copy/paste legislation that works against the freedoms of Utah voters, including attacks on worker rights. We need to unseat people like him and fill those seats with candidates who will defend our rights and keep us free of the kind of government interference that we are seeing.

Reference

Reference Legislation

Updates

Feb 13, 2025 Letter published in the Salt Lake Tribune
https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/letters/2025/02/13/letter-rep-teuscher-is-boot-neck/

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Celebrating Labor Day in Utah

The Joe Hill monument in Sugar House Park

Labor Day is a time to honor the American worker and their contributions to society. In Utah, this holiday holds particular significance, as the state has a rich history of union activity that has shaped its workforce and economy. Unions have played a crucial role in Utah’s labor movement, advocating for fair wages, safe working conditions, and workers’ rights. Through collective bargaining, unions have negotiated contracts that have provided workers with better benefits, education and career advancement, job security, and a voice in the workplace. Labor Unions have been primary drivers for workplace safety, standard working hours, ending child labor, and emphasis for improved public education.

  • In 1852, the National Typographical Union was organized in Salt Lake. It became the first permanent national union in our country. Through its evolution, the International Typographical Union (ITU) merged and is now part of Teamsters and CWA unions. 
  • Joe Hill was a famous activist songwriter and member of the Industrial Workers of the World (aka the “Wobblies”). In 1914, Hill was accused of a murder and subsequently sentenced to death at Sugarhouse Prison.  His lawyer stated “The main thing the state had on Hill was that he was a Wobbly and therefore sure to be guilty. Hill tried to keep the IWW out of [the trial] … but the press fastened it upon him.”  Prior to his execution, Hill had written to Bill Haywood, an IWW leader, saying, “Goodbye Bill. I die like a true blue rebel. Don’t waste any time in mourning. Organize …” A monument to Joe Hill was raised in 2023 at Sugarhouse Park, the site of the former Sugarhouse Prison.
  • In 1933, Utah passed its Prevailing Wage Law, which lasted almost a half century before being repealed in 1981, using claims that prevailing wage was in conflict with right-to-work laws passed in 1969
  • In 1955, Utah became the 18th state to adopt Right to Work legislation (Since the 1920’s there was the national, anti-union, open-shop “American Plan”, a predecessor of right-to-work; and followed closely after the 1947 Taft-Hartley act)
  • When Martin Luther King addressed the AFL-CIO’s fourth convention in 1961, he dubbed the AFL-CIO and the civil rights movement “the two most dynamic and cohesive liberal forces in the country” 
  • Under Title 34, Chapter 34 of Utah Code adopted in 1969, the state code maintains a “neutral” stance in that an employer cannot require or abstain employees from belonging to a union, and does not deny employees’ right to collective bargaining. This means that unions can be formed, but individuals are not required to join a union, or pay union dues. 

It’s important to note the difference between Right-to-Work laws and Right-to-Organize laws. Right-to-work typically focuses on the individual employee, and weakens collective bargaining power. Employees not covered by a union can be subject to at-will work agreements where employers can reduce workforce, lay-off and re-organize with no significant repercussions to the business, but devastating impacts to the employee. Additionally, employees often discover that loyalty to a company isn’t rewarded through commensurate advancement, pay or recognition because employees are treated like assets rather than an investment. In contrast, Right-to-organize typically focuses on the fundamental right of workers to form unions and perform collective bargaining, and strengthens collective bargaining power. 

Utah is a right-to-work state, which means that individuals cannot be compelled to join a labor union as a condition of employment. This law has significant implications for unions in the state. While it allows workers to choose whether or not to join a union, it also limits the ability of unions to negotiate exclusive contracts that cover all workers in a particular workplace. As a result, unions in Utah may face challenges in organizing workers and bargaining for collective agreements that benefit all employees. Right-to-work laws can weaken the bargaining power of unions, making it more difficult to negotiate for higher wages, better benefits, and improved working conditions. The loss of a prevailing wage in our state has significance in that there is a constant demand for “cheap” versus “good” that only encourages a slow spiral to the bottom for workers’ wages, their workspaces, product quality, and service availability. 

Unions are one of the most important tools to address the disparity of wealth distribution, and a legitimate tool to manage the welfare and way of life for Utahns.  This is a key issue separating myself from incumbent Jordan Teuscher. The current representative from our district is anti-union and is the sponsor of HB285 Labor Union Amendments which impacts public employees. He has also submitted bills in past legislative sessions (like the 2023 HB241 Labor Union Amendments) that work against worker rights. We are facing anti-union actions from a national level to degrade unions in Utah. Groups like ‘Workers for Opportunity’ and ‘Mackinac Center for Public Policy’ are engaging with conservative legislators to introduce legislation veiled as “worker freedom”, but in reality represent a furthering of “right-to-work” policies that weaken labor laws and tear down worker rights. Teuscher is a copy/paste legislator introducing right-wing legislation from ALEC that was also run in Texas and Florida. He’s doing the same thing working with the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) whose focus is to push, repackage and franchise conservative agendas. He literally takes his cues from national right-wing think tanks rather than representing the people in his district.  

This Labor Day, think about workers’ rights and the state of our economy.  We need to build from the middle up, and that means giving workers the ability to negotiate fair compensation, fight for workspace safety and product quality in response to the do-more-with-less mantra of companies that treat employees like assets rather than real people, and seek less regulation, less liability, less community commitment, but constantly report record profits. Take time to celebrate the achievements of Utah’s labor movement and the contributions of the state’s working people. It is a reminder of the importance of unions in protecting workers’ rights and ensuring fair and equitable workplaces. 

REFERENCE ARTICLES 

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Defending our Public Employees

Jordan Teuscher is no friend to working families. During the 2024 general legislative session, Jordan introduced HB285 “Labor Union Amendments”, which failed primarily due to very present, overwhelming opposition by both public and private sector employees. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the highest unionization rates are among workers in education, training, and libraries (32.7%) and law enforcement (31.9%) — all public sector occupations. This is who Jordan was attacking with his bill, and we’re predicting that if he retains his seat, he’s going to come back in 2025 to continue his assault on public employees and working families.

Who are the people that would be negatively impacted? In this bill, Public employees represent municipality, county, state and school district employees, or any administrative subunit of the state. He’s targeting teachers, school administrators, state employees, city employees, police and firefighters. He’s going after the people who operate our cities and make things run. He’s going after the teachers and administrators who provide sound public education to our children. He’s going after emergency responders and the people who answer the calls for help.

Is Jordan representing Utahns with these bills? The answer is no. His bill language comes from Michigan’s Mackinac Center for Public Policy and its deceptively named “Workers for Opportunity” that are engaging with conservative legislators to introduce legislation to weaken labor laws and tear down worker rights. He’s running bills written from outside of Utah. Unions are one of the most important tools to address the disparity of wealth distribution, and a legitimate tool to manage the welfare and way of life for Utahns. Union members will tell you that human dignity and worth, fair pay, retirement, benefits, safety, training, employer accountability, and opportunity are what are at stake. And Jordan is no friend to unions, or to working families.

“What is government for, if not to better the lives of its citizens?”

Tom Davidson, LiUNA Local 295

Your representative needs to represent you. You are the voter. You are the constituent. If your voice isn’t represented in the district, then speak up, get involved, and act with your vote in November. I ask that you stand with working families, and stand with me for better representation.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Donate
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Representing Working Families

During the 2024 General Session we saw a major anti-union bill introduced in HB285 by Jordan Teuscher. The bill failed primarily due to strong and vocal opposition by public and private employees, including emergency services workers, school teachers, public employees, and union members from across the state. This wasn’t the first anti-union bill from Jordan, and it won’t be the last. Since elected he has introduced nationally-sponsored bills designed to degrade unions in Utah. Groups like Workers for Opportunity and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy are engaging with conservative legislators to introduce legislation veiled as “worker freedom”, but in reality represent a furthering of “right-to-work” policies that weaken labor laws and tear down worker rights. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the highest unionization rates were among workers in education, training, and libraries (32.7%) and law enforcement (31.9%) — all public sector occupations; and that is what Jordan has been targeting. Our public workers, and our working families deserve to be represented. Jordan does NOT represent our community. I’m working to unseat Jordan so that I can become the representative for House District 44. I pledge to protect and advocate for workers’ rights if elected. You can see more of my stance on workers’ rights at https://utah44.com/issues-workers-rights/.

At the national level, watch closely for progress on the Protecting the Rights to Organize (PRO) Act which will expand labor protections for employees’ rights to organize and for collective bargaining in the workplace.

Don’t cross the line. Vote with working families who choose a representative that will fight for your rights and defend your freedom, your job, and you.

You Can Get Involved

An important part of elections is b.

Being informed and voting is the start of engagement in political processes, but if you truly want to have your voice heard, you need to engage in the forums that help build platforms and grow legislation.

Become active in the campaigns that are important to you. Support a candidate, volunteer to work the polls or knock on doors. You can become a precinct chair, or consider taking on a House District role. You can join a legislative committee. By engaging you use your actions and your voice to help grow the conversations that you care about. Help shape legislation, and support or defend the issues you care about.

Who knows? You can even run for office.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Donate!