Class Code 8755
Labor Unions
Class Code 8755 covers employers that operate labor unions and the staff they employ in California, including business agents, organizers, administrative personnel and trainers. The September 1, 2026 approved pure premium rate for this classification is $0.659 per $100 of payroll, which reflects expected claim costs for these operations.
What Class Code 8755 Covers
8755 applies to the operations of labor unions as employers: union halls, union administrative offices, business agents and field representatives who perform organizing, collective bargaining and member services on the union's payroll. Covered work includes office-based clerical tasks, member intake and benefit administration, scheduling and delivering training classes, and field activities such as on-site representation and organized rallies when performed as part of job duties. Routine building maintenance or janitorial work, heavy construction, or contractor work performed by third parties is typically classified under other more specific WCIRB codes rather than 8755. Field organizing that requires travel, standing at events, or interactions with the public is included when those activities are paid duties of the union employer.
Who It Applies To
- Union business agents and shop stewards employed by the union
- Field organizers and outreach coordinators on the union payroll
- Union administrative and clerical staff working in union offices
- Training instructors and apprenticeship program coordinators employed by the union
- Event coordinators and paid rally or picket supervisors
- Benefits administrators and membership coordinators employed by the union
Common Job Duties
- Representing members in grievance and bargaining sessions with employers
- Organizing and door-to-door outreach, phone banking and member recruitment
- Processing membership records, benefits paperwork and payroll for union employees
- Planning and staffing training classes, safety briefings and apprenticeship instruction
- Coordinating and staffing rallies, informational pickets or public events on behalf of the union
- Traveling to job sites, meetings and hearings to represent members
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $0.659 Rate
The pure premium rate of $0.659 per $100 of payroll represents the WCIRB's estimate of expected claim costs for class code 8755. Insurers multiply this base rate by your payroll (divided by 100) to calculate the pure premium, then apply insurer expense loads, policy specific discounts, minimum premiums and your experience modification (X-mod) to produce the final premium. Final cost is affected by your loss history, payroll accuracy, safety programs, classification audits and any credits or debits the carrier applies.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Labor unions that employ staff must comply with California's Cal/OSHA requirements like any other employer, including maintaining an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) and reporting serious work-related injuries. Staff who work outdoors or at rallies must be covered by the Heat Illness Prevention standard; workplaces that use cleaning chemicals must follow the Hazard Communication standard. Keep accurate Cal/OSHA injury records and report severe incidents as required under state regulations.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 8755
A PEO like Key HR centralizes payroll and workers' comp administration, helping unions maintain accurate payroll classification and speed claims reporting to contain costs. Key HR can provide tailored IIPP templates, training for field organizers, driver safety programs, return-to-work plans and regular claims reviews to help reduce lost-time claims and monitor experience modification in California.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does Class Code 8755 cover individual union members who are paid by an employer?
No. 8755 covers employees directly employed by a labor union (office staff, business agents, organizers on the union's payroll). Union members paid by their private employers are classified under the employer's industry class code, not 8755.
Are injuries that happen during a strike or voluntary picket covered?
Coverage depends on whether the activity was within the course and scope of employment. If participation in a picket or rally is an assigned, paid duty of the union employee, it may be covered; voluntary off-duty participation can be excluded. Review specific claim circumstances with the insurer and counsel.
How can a union employer lower workers' comp costs under this class?
Maintain accurate payroll classification, implement an IIPP and event-specific safety plans, document training, establish driver safety and travel policies, promptly report and manage claims, and use return-to-work programs. A PEO can help implement these measures and monitor the union's experience modification.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 8755
- Classification
- Labor Unions
- Pure Premium Rate
- $0.659 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
Manage Workers' Comp Through a PEO
Key HR provides pay-as-you-go workers' comp for California employers — no large deposits, no audits, better rates.
Get a Quoteor call (800) 922-4133Ready to Simplify Workers' Comp for Class Code 8755?
Key HR provides California employers with pay-as-you-go workers' comp, HR compliance support, and payroll — all through one PEO partnership.