The topic of labor unions can be very polarizing. Many love what their union has done for them to keep fair wages and benefits, and others bash unions for impeding capitalism and the American economy. Wherever you stand, it’s important to know the law about unions and union membership requirements in your state.
Depending on who you ask, these controversial “right to work†laws have been passed to protect workers from being required to join a union to get or keep a certain job. Alternatively, these laws were intentionally passed to help businesses pay less for labor by impeding any union’s ability to organize for the better benefits and pay that almost always come with a union job. The crux of these laws are that union membership can’t be required as part of a job in any states that have passed them.
Right-to-Work Laws in Utah
Many states have enacted so-called “right to work†laws, including Utah. As Utah passed the “right to work†laws in 1955, most working Utahns are probably unfamiliar with the benefits and drawbacks of being a part of a labor union.
The chart below briefly outlines the right-to-work laws in Utah.
| Code Section | Utah Code Title 34, Chapter 34: Utah Right to Work Law |
| Policy on Union Membership & Organization | Utah’s public policy is that private and public employees can’t be denied or diminished employment on the basis of membership or non-membership in a labor union, organization, or any other type of association. |
| Prohibited Activity | The “right to work†law prohibits any of the following:
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| Penalties | The possible penalties for violating the “right to work†laws are:
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If you think you were denied any job or employment-related benefit due to your membership or lack thereof in a union, then you should speak with an experienced Utah employment lawyer to find out about your options.
Note: State laws are updated all the time, please contact an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify these employment laws.
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