Historic Safe Haven Closes Its Doors
Utah's oldest LGBTQ+ bar has abruptly closed its doors, with workers claiming the shutdown represents a deliberate attempt to prevent unionisation. The SunTrapp, which first opened in Salt Lake City in 1973, ceased operations on 31st October after employees began pushing for union recognition.
Staff members allege that the bar's owner engaged in numerous unfair labour practices following their submission of a letter requesting voluntary recognition of their union with Communications Workers of America Local 7765 in late September.
A Community Institution Under Threat
In a Republican-dominated state ranked among America's least safe for LGBTQ+ people, workers described The SunTrapp as "a really special place" and a vital safe haven. The bar had recently increased security measures after September's Charlie Kirk assassination in Utah heightened concerns about threats targeting the community.
Natalie Jankowski, a lead bartender at the establishment, explained the bar's significance: "It's a really special place where you can go and be judgment free. We have a lot of older queer people, older trans people, who feel comfortable coming there and nowhere else."
Jankowski noted that the venue served diverse community needs, including former Mormons wanting their first drink in a safe environment and individuals questioning their sexuality seeking guidance from understanding staff.
Union Drive Meets Resistance
The unionisation effort emerged from staff members' close-knit community and collective desire for improvements. Morgan Sturgill, another bartender, stated: "We all cared about it so much, and just wanted it to be a place that everybody had a voice to be able to change policy, to be able to have a say in how things were run."
Workers claim owner Mary Peterson initially fired many employees after learning of their union efforts, then rehired them when she discovered such actions violated labour laws. Peterson stated in a social media video that she fired staff because she felt they threatened the business, though she later acknowledged the legal requirement to reinstate them.
The owner also claimed the bar, employing approximately two dozen workers, was "too small" to unionise, despite no legal exceptions existing for small employers regarding union rights.
Staff members allege Peterson then implemented new policies designed to entrap workers, including changing drink menus and strictly enforcing late policies. These measures prompted an unfair labour practice strike in early October after a security guard and union supporter was dismissed.
Closure Amid Government Shutdown Complications
The National Labor Relations Board website became inaccessible due to the government shutdown, halting the formal union election process and preventing the filing of unfair labour practice charges.
The bar announced its closure on Halloween, blaming "the financial impact of consistent protests" while suggesting the venue's future remains uncertain.
Yara Al-Badri, the bar's social media marketer and event planner, expressed concern about the impact on an already marginalised community: "I personally feel that the pseudo closure of the Trap is a way to fear monger an already marginalised community who is in distress and in fear. We live in a world where queer people feel extremely unsafe, especially right now, in this political climate, and we feel extremely disposable."
The union had previously suggested closure might be used as a union-busting tactic. Peterson and The SunTrapp management did not respond to multiple requests for comment from journalists.
