Portland Community College Faculty and Staff Launch Unprecedented Wage Strike
On March 11, 2026, thousands of Portland Community College (PCC) faculty, staff, and students rallied across four campuses in support of an unprecedented strike. This historic action marks the first strike among any of Oregon’s 17 community colleges, highlighting the growing discontent over wage negotiations.
Background of the Strike
Both the PCC Federation of Faculty and Academic Professionals (PCCFFAP) and the Federation of Classified Employees (PCCFCE) have been in negotiations for nearly a year. Discussions have stalled, largely due to disagreements over salary increases, leading to the declaration of an impasse on January 30, 2026. Subsequently, union members overwhelmingly voted to authorize the strike.
Union Demands
The two unions represent a diverse workforce at PCC:
- PCCFFAP: Approximately 1,600 members, including teaching faculty and academic staff.
- PCCFCE: Close to 700 members, comprising support staff like administrative assistants and custodians.
Both unions are advocating for wage increases that match rising inflation rates. However, PCC has expressed financial constraints, reporting a projected budget deficit of around $37 million over the next two years.
Participant Reactions
Amid stifling rain, over 300 individuals gathered at the Cascade campus in North Portland. They voiced their demands with slogans such as “living wage now” and “COLAs not cuts.” Ben Cushing, PCCFFAP president, stated, “We’re ready to strike for as long as we need to in order to get a fair deal.”
Students attending the rally expressed their solidarity. Mando Larson, a PCC student, emphasized the students’ ongoing support for their faculty, stating, “All the unionized workers are asking for is fair pay.”
Impact of the Strike
The ongoing strike will significantly disrupt the education of over 30,000 PCC students. PCC has announced that it will shift to remote operations during this period, with some classes facing cancellations.
Current Negotiations
Despite recent negotiations seeing some movement on wage proposals, the current offers remain inadequate to avert the strike. PCC presented a new offer of a 4% wage increase over two years, which falls short of the unions’ demands. Faculty decreased their proposal from an 8% increase to 6%, while classified staff leaders have also adjusted their requests downwards.
Future Outlook
As final exams are set to begin next week, the duration of the strike remains uncertain. The next negotiation session is scheduled for Monday, though both unions and PCC have expressed a willingness to meet sooner.
PCC President Adrien Bennings stated, “Our focus is a settlement that is fair and sustainable, one that supports our employees while protecting the college’s long-term stability.” The college continues to navigate these challenging negotiations within a volatile economic landscape.
