Portland Community College faculty and staff brace for possible strike as mediation deadline approaches Wednesday

Two unions set to walk out if last talks fail

Portland Community College (PCC) faced the prospect of a major work stoppage as faculty, academic professionals and classified staff prepared to strike unless mediated negotiations produced an agreement by Wednesday, March 11, 2026. The looming deadline follows months of bargaining over compensation and benefits at Oregon’s largest community college, with both sides describing their positions as constrained by long-term finances and workforce stability.

The potential walkout would involve two bargaining units: the Federation of Faculty and Academic Professionals, representing about 1,600 employees, and the Federation of Classified Employees, representing nearly 700 staff members. Both unions authorized a strike in late February by 94% margins, a step that unions and employers often treat as a signal of internal unity and a tool to increase leverage at the table.

What the dispute is about

Negotiations have centered on wage adjustments in the final two years of existing four-year contracts, along with health-benefit costs. The unions have characterized the college’s latest wage proposal as inadequate, pointing specifically to a cost-of-living increase offer described as 0.35% for both 2026 and 2027. PCC leadership has argued that total compensation growth must be evaluated alongside scheduled step increases and has described its approach as intended to be sustainable amid budget uncertainty.

• Faculty union wage targets have been described as 4.25% for the contract’s third year and 4.5% for the fourth year.
• Classified employees have sought 3% and 3.5% increases over the same period.

Financial pressure and competing claims

PCC has said it is managing significant budget reductions, citing $18 million in cuts in the current budget cycle in addition to $11.3 million already reduced, and projecting further pressure in the next biennium. Union leaders have countered that college spending choices—along with the treatment of reserves and administrative allocations—should allow for larger wage adjustments. The disagreement has contributed to an impasse filing that triggered a formal cooling-off period and state-mediated bargaining sessions leading up to this week’s deadline.

A strike would test whether both sides can bridge a wage gap while maintaining staffing stability and student services.

What students could experience if a strike occurs

PCC has said it would aim to continue classes and student services as fully as possible during a work stoppage and would provide grades within five days after employees return to work. The college has also indicated that if the strike affects spring term—scheduled to begin March 30—students would have a window to request refunds.

As of Monday, the college indicated a final mediation session was planned for Tuesday, leaving a narrow time frame for a settlement that could avert picket lines and limit disruption for students nearing the end of winter term.