We Just Formed the Largest Tech Union in America. Here's How We Did It

2026-06-23 · Source: Tech Policy Press · Field: Business & Management — Human Resources & Workforce Development, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, short

Summary

University of California IT workers successfully formed what they claim is the largest tech union in the United States, expanding their bargaining unit to 8,400 employees across California on May 21, 2026. This expansion, achieved by adding 2,100 employees to the University and Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE) union, comes amid widespread tech layoffs, exceeding 148,000 jobs in 2026, and growing concerns about AI's impact on job security. The new union contract secures improved pay, protections against unilateral layoffs, remote work support, and the right to bargain over AI deployment. Their organizing campaign involved extensive outreach, revealing that 65 percent of IT staff took on additional work due to shortages, with only 22 percent feeling secure. The union emphasizes leveraging UC's substantial wealth (\$26 billion in liquid capital, \$41 billion in endowments) to ensure technology serves public good and responsible AI implementation.

Key takeaway

For IT professionals concerned about job security amidst AI deployment and widespread layoffs, consider exploring collective bargaining as a viable strategy. Your engagement in bottom-up organizing can establish a seat at the table for decision-making regarding technology use and secure protections against unilateral job cuts. This approach demonstrates how organized labor can influence responsible AI implementation and improve working conditions in the tech sector.

Key insights

Unionizing tech workers at scale can secure job protections and influence AI deployment decisions.

Principles

• Collective bargaining improves tech worker security.
• Bottom-up organizing builds union density.
• Public sector tech can model responsible AI use.

Method

Identify worker priorities through extensive conversations and surveys. Launch a workplace survey to quantify insecurity and workload issues. Submit paperwork for bargaining unit expansion.

In practice

• Conduct workplace surveys to identify shared concerns.
• Engage in direct, honest conversations with colleagues.
• Advocate for bargaining rights over AI deployment.

Topics

• Tech Unionization
• AI Workforce Impact
• Collective Bargaining
• Job Security
• Public Sector IT
• University of California

Best for: IT Professional, Software Engineer, Operations Professional

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Tech Policy Press.