2,100 IT workers at the University of California voted to join UPTE-CWA Local 9119, marking the largest tech worker unionization effort in US labor history. Local 9119 President Dan Russell and UCLA Unit Cochair Max Belasco describe the organizing campaign, which included thousands of one-on-one conversations and home visits across California. The contract won 22% raises over three years, up to $300/month in health insurance savings, and layoff protections including preferential rehire rights across all UC campuses. Key organizing challenges included reaching remote workers, overcoming skepticism about union benefits, and addressing fears about AI-driven layoffs and federal funding cuts to UC. Both organizers argue unions offer a path to worker-driven technology development that serves public interests rather than corporate profits.
Questions this post answers
What did the UPTE-CWA Local 9119 contract win for University of California IT workers?
The contract secured 22% raises over three years, savings of up to $300 per month on health insurance premiums, and layoff protections requiring UC to offer any qualified vacant position before laying someone off. It also expanded preferential rehire rights from a single campus to any UC campus system-wide, a significant benefit for remote workers. IT workers weighing whether to organize can track contract outcomes like these on daily.dev.
How did UC tech workers organize a largely remote workforce to win a union vote?
Organizers built campus-based and statewide organizing committees, identified organic workplace leaders, and conducted thousands of one-on-one conversations. The final phase involved home visits to every tech worker in California at least once. Under California law, the vote required more than 50% of all 2,100 workers in the bargaining unit to vote yes — not just a majority of those who participated. Developers navigating remote-work organizing challenges find real-world case studies like this on daily.dev.