UPTE-CWA

“This gives us an opportunity to really have a seat at the table, have our own voice and advocate for our careers.”

2,100 UC technology workers vote to join existing university union “This gives us an opportunity to really have a seat at the table,” Max Belasco, a UC tech worker and organizer, said about unionization.

A majority of 2,100 technical workers across the University of California system have voted to join us, making us the largest tech-worker union in the United States, with 8,400 workers in the bargaining unit.

Earlier this month, 2,100 information technology (IT) professionals at the University of California (UC) voted overwhelmingly to join the University Professional and Technical Employees-CWA (UPTE-CWA Local 9119). This was the largest tech industry organizing campaign in U.S. history and brings the total number of IT workers in the bargaining unit to 8,400, making it the largest tech union in the country.

IT workers cited layoff protections, wage increases, and AI governance as key issues. Worker titles include application programmers, business systems analysts, data systems analysts, database administrators, information systems analysts, and instructional designers. These workers keep California’s public university running. They build and maintain the digital infrastructure behind patient care at UC’s medical centers, power the research systems scientists across the state rely on, and design the learning tools that serve hundreds of thousands of students.

“We know when you try to make quick, dirty decisions to cut labor through AI, you're actually creating a more vulnerable system,” said UPTE-CWA Local 9119 President Dan Russell. “On paper, AI can make us more 'productive' at our jobs, but the people making those recommendations to UC are management consultants who don't have the knowledge or expertise we have as workers. With the right to bargain over our working conditions, we can set the right tone not just for our workplace and tech organizations, but also for the millions of Californians who turn to UC every day for critical research, healthcare, and educational opportunities.”

The organizing campaign involved dozens of IT workers who reached out to their colleagues via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, e-mail, and social media, as well as physical outreach across departments and by knocking on doors.

Congratulations to the IT workers for organizing a highly effective campaign, engaging with one another, and winning a victory for workers across the public university system nationwide.

🗳️ California: Today is the FINAL day to vote in the primary election! Polls close at 8 pm. Drop off your vote-by-mail ballot at any vote center or drop box by 8 pm. Find locations at sos.ca.gov. Make your voice heard!

“With the right to bargain over our working conditions, we can set the right tone not just for our workplace and tech organizations, but also for the millions of Californians who turn to UC every day for critical research, healthcare, and educational opportunities.”

UC tech workers unionize as AI anxiety grows across industry More than 2,000 University of California tech workers have voted to unionize with UPTE, citing concerns over layoffs, workloads and AI rollouts.

Here’s what we’ve won by fighting together:

✅ 8%+ raises—largest in UPTE history
✅ $25/hr minimum wage
✅ Healthcare premium caps
✅ Up to 12 months of parental leave
✅ 30-day notice for remote/hybrid changes

25,000+ workers made this happen.

California’s primary election is just one week away on Tuesday, June 2, 2026! There’s no time to wait. After months of research, interviews, and debate, our political committee proudly endorses candidates who share our values—many of whom have already stood with us on our picket lines. From the governor to city councils, these leaders will fight for workers, healthcare, and all Californians. Fill out your mail-in ballot and send it back today. See the full list at the link in the comments!

A century later, the fight for workers to share in what they create is the same fight we wage today.

“We should be at the table as well.” 2,100 UC tech workers just voted to unionize, forming the largest tech worker union in US history, with AI governance as a core bargaining issue.

They just formed the biggest tech worker union in the US. They plan to rein in AI and curb layoffs "Who AI benefits and who it immiserates often is based on who gets to decide how it’s used. We know how tech is used on the day to day. We should be at the table as well."

tfw when 2,100 IT workers join the UPTE, creating the largest tech union in the country ✨

We’re proud to endorse Tom Steyer for governor. He’s committed to our mission of public healthcare, education, and research, taxing the wealthy and corporations their fair share, and achieving single-payer healthcare. We look forward to working with him. Vote by June 2!