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News Release

PCC, Classified Union Reach Tentative Agreement To End Strike - 03/25/26

PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Community College and its Federation of Classified Employees (FCE) union have reached a tentative agreement, marking an important step toward stability for the college and its employees.

 

In summary, the agreement includes a 0% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for this year and 5% for 2026-27. Classified employees will also receive a $1,350 lump sum payment upon ratification of the agreement on the next payroll cycle and be able to cash out of up to 40 vacation hours. PCC has approximately 700 classified employees.

 

Bargaining with the Federation of Faculty and Academic Professionals (FFAP) continues and the college leadership feels a deal is also very close. A remaining topic under discussion is compensation related to strike time. As a publicly funded agency, PCC maintains that they will not spend tax dollars for people who do not provide the services for which they're compensated.

 

PCC President Dr. Adrien Bennings said the agreement comes at a time of significant financial pressure for higher education institutions in Oregon and across the country. Rising costs, uncertainty around future state and federal funding, and enrollment declines following the COVID-19 pandemic have caused expenditures to significantly outpace revenue for many colleges and universities.

 

“We appreciate the efforts of everyone involved in returning to the table and working toward a resolution,” said Bennings. “We are pleased to have reached an agreement with our classified union. This outcome reflects the value of continued dialogue and good-faith collaboration. It also underscores the ongoing challenge community colleges face in Oregon and across the nation, where state funding has not kept pace with the true cost of delivering high-quality instruction and the support students need to succeed.”

 

Bennings added that while the tentative agreement provides stability moving forward, PCC continues to face significant fiscal pressures. Like many colleges and universities across the state, the college is working to address ongoing structural budget challenges and ensure its long-term sustainability while continuing to serve students and the broader community.

 

With funding tight and costs rising, PCC recently made $14.7 million in reductions to balance the 2025–27 biennium budget and is facing an additional $21 million in reductions for the 2027–29 biennium. Long-term planning is further complicated by growing uncertainty around federal funding, adding another layer of instability for institutions that Oregonians rely on to expand opportunity, strengthen workforce development, and support long-term economic resilience.

 

Even amid these challenges, PCC remains a major economic driver for the region and the state. A recent economic impact study found that PCC adds $2.3 billion to the regional economy and supports 25,314 jobs. The same study found that students see about $5.10 in higher future earnings for every $1 invested in their education. Across Oregon’s 17 community colleges, the impact is even greater: together, they generate $9.6 billion in annual economic impact statewide and support roughly 118,000 jobs.

“Our focus now is to support our employees while protecting the long-term stability of the college and our ability to serve students,” Bennings said. “Most importantly, we are doing everything in our power to support students and keep their academic progress on track.”

For complete details on the bargaining process and history, visit: https://www.pcc.edu/president/bargaining-updates/

 

 

About Portland Community College: Founded in 1961, Portland Community College is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon and provides training, degree and certificate completion, and lifelong learning to more than 57,000 full- and part-time students in Multnomah, Washington, Yamhill, Clackamas, and Columbia counties. PCC has four comprehensive campuses, 10 education centers or areas served, and approximately 200 community locations in the Portland metropolitan area. The PCC district encompasses a 1,500-square-mile area in northwest Oregon and offers two-year degrees, one-year certificate programs, short-term training, alternative education, pre-college courses and life-long learning.

 

Visit PCC news on the web at http://news.pcc.edu/


For B-ROLL footage, visit PCC campus and student life highlight reel.

PCC, Classified Union Reach Tentative Agreement To End Strike - 03/25/26

PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Community College and its Federation of Classified Employees (FCE) union have reached a tentative agreement, marking an important step toward stability for the college and its employees.

 

In summary, the agreement includes a 0% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for this year and 5% for 2026-27. Classified employees will also receive a $1,350 lump sum payment upon ratification of the agreement on the next payroll cycle and be able to cash out of up to 40 vacation hours. PCC has approximately 700 classified employees.

 

Bargaining with the Federation of Faculty and Academic Professionals (FFAP) continues and the college leadership feels a deal is also very close. A remaining topic under discussion is compensation related to strike time. As a publicly funded agency, PCC maintains that they will not spend tax dollars for people who do not provide the services for which they're compensated.

 

PCC President Dr. Adrien Bennings said the agreement comes at a time of significant financial pressure for higher education institutions in Oregon and across the country. Rising costs, uncertainty around future state and federal funding, and enrollment declines following the COVID-19 pandemic have caused expenditures to significantly outpace revenue for many colleges and universities.

 

“We appreciate the efforts of everyone involved in returning to the table and working toward a resolution,” said Bennings. “We are pleased to have reached an agreement with our classified union. This outcome reflects the value of continued dialogue and good-faith collaboration. It also underscores the ongoing challenge community colleges face in Oregon and across the nation, where state funding has not kept pace with the true cost of delivering high-quality instruction and the support students need to succeed.”

 

Bennings added that while the tentative agreement provides stability moving forward, PCC continues to face significant fiscal pressures. Like many colleges and universities across the state, the college is working to address ongoing structural budget challenges and ensure its long-term sustainability while continuing to serve students and the broader community.

 

With funding tight and costs rising, PCC recently made $14.7 million in reductions to balance the 2025–27 biennium budget and is facing an additional $21 million in reductions for the 2027–29 biennium. Long-term planning is further complicated by growing uncertainty around federal funding, adding another layer of instability for institutions that Oregonians rely on to expand opportunity, strengthen workforce development, and support long-term economic resilience.

 

Even amid these challenges, PCC remains a major economic driver for the region and the state. A recent economic impact study found that PCC adds $2.3 billion to the regional economy and supports 25,314 jobs. The same study found that students see about $5.10 in higher future earnings for every $1 invested in their education. Across Oregon’s 17 community colleges, the impact is even greater: together, they generate $9.6 billion in annual economic impact statewide and support roughly 118,000 jobs.

“Our focus now is to support our employees while protecting the long-term stability of the college and our ability to serve students,” Bennings said. “Most importantly, we are doing everything in our power to support students and keep their academic progress on track.”

For complete details on the bargaining process and history, visit: https://www.pcc.edu/president/bargaining-updates/

 

 

About Portland Community College: Founded in 1961, Portland Community College is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon and provides training, degree and certificate completion, and lifelong learning to more than 57,000 full- and part-time students in Multnomah, Washington, Yamhill, Clackamas, and Columbia counties. PCC has four comprehensive campuses, 10 education centers or areas served, and approximately 200 community locations in the Portland metropolitan area. The PCC district encompasses a 1,500-square-mile area in northwest Oregon and offers two-year degrees, one-year certificate programs, short-term training, alternative education, pre-college courses and life-long learning.

 

Visit PCC news on the web at http://news.pcc.edu/


For B-ROLL footage, visit PCC campus and student life highlight reel.