Introduction

Both state and federal law allow many public and private employees, including police officers, firefighters, and telephone pole workers, to form labor groups and collectively bargain with their employers. However, the U.S. Supreme Court held that public employers have no affirmative obligation to recognize bargaining units. Smith v. Arkansas State Highway Employees, 441 U.S. 463, 464 (1979). States have gone so far as to ban public employers from entering into contracts with employees - unions in Utah have been protesting HB 267, which bans contracts between public employers and unions altogether. This website supports those groups against HB 267 and provides (1) general information about American union law, (2) Smith's effect generally, (3) HB 267's impact, and (4) possible ways to resolve