1,600 communication workers ratify contract to join UC’s largest union
Union members hold signs. UC communication workers voted to ratify a union contract and joined United Auto Workers Local 4811 on Thursday. (Andrew Ramiro Diaz/Photo editor)
By Rune Long
Sept. 25, 2026 1:42 p.m.
UC communication workers voted Thursday to join a union representing more than 60,000 student employees, researchers and educators across the University.
UC Communication, Marketing and Sales Specialists ratified a union contract Thursday to join United Auto Workers Local 4811. The contract will cover about 1,600 workers across the UC.
The Public Employment Relations Board – a state agency responsible for ensuring fair labor practices – certified ComMaS in March, and the union began contract negotiations with the University in May, according to UC-UAW’s website.
“More and more professional staff are joining UAW 4811 every day, and this is how we will truly meet the moment and fight for the future of public higher education and our work,” said Adra Bowman, a ComMaS bargaining committee member, in a Friday email to union members.
The University has now reached agreements with all of its bargaining units, said Missy Matella, the UC associate vice president for systemwide employee and labor relations, in a Sept. 18 press release.
About 12,000 student employees, postdoctoral researchers and academic researchers joined UAW Local 4811 in May, making it the largest union at the University.
[Related: 12,000 employees to bring UC’s largest union to 60,000 workers]
UAW Local 4811 did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the contract ratification.
“Reaching a first systemwide agreement for UAW ComMaS-represented employees is a significant accomplishment and reflects the important work of everyone involved,” Matella said in the press release.
