Portland Community College (PCC) faces a potential strike as negotiations with its faculty and support staff unions reach a critical impasse. More than 2,000 workers are prepared to walk off the job as early as Wednesday, March 11, 2026, if a last-minute agreement isn’t reached, potentially disrupting classes and student services.
The dispute centers on wages and healthcare benefits, with union representatives expressing frustration over what they describe as inadequate offers from the college. Negotiations have been ongoing for ten months, and both the Federation of Faculty and Academic Professionals (PCCFFAP) and the Federation of Classified Employees (PCCFCE) jointly declared an impasse on January 30, triggering a 30-day cooling-off period that ends this week. A strike at PCC would be the first in the college’s history, and the first joint strike by faculty and support workers at an Oregon institution, according to the PCCFFAP.
Financial Challenges and Union Demands
PCC administration cites a challenging financial outlook for higher education as a key factor in the stalled negotiations. Rising costs, uncertainty surrounding state and federal funding, and declining enrollment since the start of the pandemic have created budgetary pressures, forcing the college to implement millions of dollars in cuts. “The College remains focused on resolutions that are fair, sustainable, and aligned with long-term institutional stability,” PCC stated.
However, union representatives argue that the college’s budget priorities are misaligned, favoring administrative spending over employee compensation and student resources. A spokesperson for one of the unions asserted that “PCC’s current budget prioritizes management bloat at the expense of student’s access to classes, popular programs and workers wages and benefits.” The unions are seeking a wage increase of between 6.5% and 8.75% over two years to account for the rising cost of living and increasing healthcare premiums. PCC has countered with offers of less than 1%, including a .35% increase in the first year and up to a half percent in the second year, as reported by Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Impact on Students and Services
If the strike proceeds, PCC has stated its intention to continue offering classes and student services “to the fullest extent possible.” However, the extent to which this will be achievable remains uncertain. The PCCFFAP represents over 1,600 full and part-time faculty, while the PCCFCE represents nearly 700 classified workers, including administrative assistants, IT staff, and custodians. A significant disruption in staffing could lead to class cancellations, reduced access to support services, and delays in administrative processes.
Negotiations were continuing late Tuesday, March 10, 2026, as both sides attempted to avert a work stoppage, according to KATU. The unions authorized the strike on February 24, 2026, with 94% of members voting in favor, as reported by KPTV.
What’s Next
The immediate future of PCC hinges on the outcome of ongoing negotiations. The deadline for reaching an agreement is Tuesday evening, with a potential strike commencing Wednesday morning. The situation remains fluid, and further updates will depend on whether the college and the unions can bridge the gap in their positions. The outcome of these negotiations will likely set a precedent for future labor relations at PCC and potentially influence similar discussions at other Oregon community colleges.
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