The University of California and the United Auto Workers (UAW) have reached a tentative agreement on the first systemwide collective bargaining agreement covering approximately 1,600 Communications, Marketing, and Sales Professionals, known as ComMaS, across UC.
The agreement will run from the date of ratification through June 30, 2030, and reflects the parties’ shared effort to address priorities and reach a mutually acceptable outcome. It largely mirrors the contracts reached earlier this year with UAW’s Student Services and Advising Professionals (SSAP) and Research and Public Service Professionals (RPSP) units, providing consistency across UAW’s three professional staff bargaining units. The economic package includes significant, across-the-board wage increases, a one-time ratification payment, and an additional base-building increase for eligible non-probationary career employees. It also establishes a process to develop and implement step structures, with annual step progression beginning in 2028.
“We are grateful to UAW and to both bargaining teams for their commitment to productive, good-faith negotiations,” said Missy Matella, associate vice president for Systemwide Employee and Labor Relations at the University of California. “Reaching a first systemwide agreement for UAW ComMaS-represented employees is a significant accomplishment and reflects the important work of everyone involved.”
“With this tentative agreement covering ComMaS employees, the University and our union partners have now reached agreements covering all of UC’s bargaining units,” Matella said. “This is a tremendous accomplishment that will help ensure labor-management stability across UC, and it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our partners throughout the UC community.”
UAW ComMaS-represented employees support UC’s mission of education, research, and public service by communicating about the University’s academic programs, research discoveries, healthcare services, public service initiatives, and other work across its campuses and medical centers. Through brand management, content, storytelling, marketing, and outreach, they connect UC with diverse audiences, strengthen trust, and highlight the University’s contributions at the state, national, and global levels.
Additional details about the agreement will be shared following ratification by UAW members, which is expected in the coming days.
For more about ComMaS at UC, visit UCnet.