Professor John Logan Discussed Significant Union-Related Issues in News Stories in Major News Outlets

Author: LFCoB
January 31, 2025

John Logan, Chair and Professor of Labor and Employment Studies, discussed a new bill advanced by Utah lawmakers that would ban collective bargaining for teachers' unions and other public service jobs in ABC News. 

The unions, which tend to be liberal, are among the strongest opponents of Republican policies in states where lawmakers seek to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion. According to Cole Kelley, a Republican on Utah’s State Board of Education, the bill will help amplify the voices of those whose views do not align with the unions. Moreover, according to State Rep. Jordan Teuscher, a South Jordan Republican, the bill will enable employers to engage directly with all employees and address workplace concerns more effectively. However, it is important to highlight that the Republican’s proposal would significantly weaken unions by banning them from their ability to negotiate for better wages and working conditions on behalf of workers.

Professor Logan mentioned that Republicans view unions as a barrier to their vision of public education, saying, “Republicans see teachers unions as the main obstacle to transforming public education the way they would like to”. He highlighted that if the bill is enacted, Utah would join North and South Carolina as one of the most restrictive states regarding public sector unions, calling the proposal “fairly extreme”.

Read the full news stories by visiting the links below: