UPTE-CWA Tech Worker Win and OFT's Voucher Fight and First Contract Success

Today's America's Work Force Union Podcast brings two major stories together in one conversation-packed episode. First, UPTE-CWA Local 9119 President Dan Russell discusses the union's landmark organizing win — 2,100 University of California tech workers added to the bargaining unit, making UPTE the largest tech worker bargaining unit in the country at 8,400 members. Russell breaks down the subtle union avoidance strategy that kept those workers out for years, how high-visibility strike action brought them in and why getting organized before a mass AI rollout is now the union's most urgent priority. Then, Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper delivers one of her most packed monthly updates yet — covering AFT's bold Devices Down, Eyes Up vision for public schools, a bipartisan Ohio voucher accountability bill targeting a program that now exceeds one billion dollars annually with almost no oversight and a wave of five first contract victories, including the first KIPP charter school contract in the country. She also gives a confident update on the Columbus Metropolitan Library organizing election now underway. Visit upte.org to learn more about UPTE-CWA Local 9119 and oft-aft.org for more on the Ohio Federation of Teachers.