Posts tagged Salt Lake City
Forest Service offers separation incentives to employees ahead of relocations
June 4, 2026 // Schultz said the reorganization plan would shutter some facilities that have fallen into disrepair, and that it would “facilitate research and researchers over maintaining facilities and facility managers.” The spokesperson said the agency is carrying out it reorganziation to address a $3 billion maintenance backlog for its facilities and a $37 million year-over-year decrease in its budget to maintain those facilities. “We also owe the American people an agency that is effective and respectful of their hard-earned tax dollars, and that’s why we’re choosing to invest in our mission and our people instead of facilities we can’t afford,” the spokesperson said.
Three-quarters of USDA researchers tapped to relocate tell union they’re not going
May 11, 2026 // USDA relocated hundreds of ERS and NIFA positions to Kansas City in 2019, but about 85% of impacted employees quit their jobs or retired, rather than relocate. The American Federation of Government Employees Local 3403, which represents USDA researchers, expects to see similar results this year. An internal survey conducted by the union found that 76% of its members have indicated they are not planning to relocate. AFGE Local 3403 said in a statement that these relocations, which are expected to go into effect by the end of the summer, will trigger a “brain drain” within the department.
Suntrapp workers formally unionize with owner’s voluntary recognition
December 1, 2025 // While Suntrapp has not confirmed whether it will reopen or when that will occur, Suntrapp Workers United has shown optimism for the future.
As historic LGBTQ+ bar closes in SLC, owner and union organizers say they both hope to find ‘a path forward’
November 4, 2025 // The bar has tried to stay open during the shutdown, she said, but “sadly, the financial impact of consistent protests has made it impossible for us to remain open. As such, we will be closing the SunTrapp on October 31st, 2025.“
Owner of iconic Salt Lake City LGBTQ+ bar says it’s ‘too small’ to unionize as workers announce intent
September 30, 2025 // Workers delivered a letter to SunTrapp management Friday that stated a majority of the staff have signed union authorization cards to be represented by Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7765, which also represents workers at the University of Utah and Utah State University, the release said.
UTAH: Law banning public employee unions from collective bargaining blocked by Lt. Gov.
May 8, 2025 // Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson has issued an order staying a law from going into effect that bans public employee unions from collective bargaining. The order, issued Tuesday, blocks House Bill 267 pending validation of signatures for a citizen referendum that seeks to overturn the law. It is believed that supporters of the referendum have enough signatures to get the referendum on the ballot. They submitted more than 320,000 signatures — much more than the 140,000 required. If that is the case, the Lt. Governor's Office said, the law would be on hold until November 2026 when the referendum would go before voters. The law was originally scheduled to go into effect on July 1 because of a budget item attached to the bill.
Salt Lake City librarians officially unionize, but likely referendum to determine next steps
May 5, 2025 // Ninety-two percent of Salt Lake City librarians voted to unionize, joining AFSCME Local 1004. A new state law, HB267, bans public sector collective bargaining agreements. A likely referendum on the bill will determine the future of public union negotiations in 2026.
Salt Lake City reaches budget agreement with police union before new bill kicks in
April 22, 2025 // Groups opposed to the new law say they've gathered over 320,000 signatures to put it up for a referendum on next year's ballot. As of Friday, at least 33,000 of the signatures have been verified toward the qualifying requirement of about 141,000 signatures, which also includes a certain number of signatures in 15 of the state's 29 Senate districts.
Unions organize against bill cracking down on public employee collective bargaining
January 24, 2025 // Rep. Teuscher said he is planning a proposed amendment enshrining Utah's "Right to Work" law in the state constitution. If that were to pass, it would be placed on the ballot for voters to decide. "Your employment, whether they hire you or fire you, cannot be based on whether you are or are not a member of a union. That’s been in state law for over 50 years. My constitutional amendment would bring that into the state constitution," he said.
‘We’re making history’: Salt Lake library workers reach key step in effort to unionize
December 18, 2024 // They also noted that they were essentially the last remaining city department not unionized, as most city employees are members of either the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, or part of police or firefighter unions. Yet, it took nearly 20 months to reach Monday's vote because of hurdles that union leaders didn't expect when the process started. Brad Asay, vice president of the Utah AFL-CIO, which has helped employees seek unionization, said the effort was complicated because of Salt Lake City's unique structure. The city's library system is independently governed, but its budget is approved by the City Council every year.