Central Oregon Community College Faces Potential Strike After Union Vote

Classified staff union authorizes strike as contract negotiations continue

Mar. 31, 2026 at 9:55pm

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Central Oregon Community College (COCC) has confirmed that the Classified Association of COCC (CACOCC/OEA), representing custodians, administrative assistants, enrollment staff and other hourly positions, has voted to authorize a strike starting April 2, 2026 if an agreement is not reached. The college and union have been negotiating for over a year, with COCC's latest proposal including a 19.1% wage and step increase over 3 years, while the union's proposal seeks significantly higher increases.

Why it matters

A strike at COCC could significantly impact day-to-day operations and student services, potentially disrupting access and affordability for the community the college serves. As a public institution, COCC must balance fair compensation increases with long-term financial sustainability.

The details

COCC says it remains committed to reaching a fair and sustainable agreement, but is also preparing contingency plans to maintain essential services like financial aid, veteran benefits, advising, and food service in the event of a strike. The college plans to hire temporary replacement workers and coordinate with local police to ensure any picketing is lawful and peaceful.

  • The union has authorized a strike starting April 2, 2026.
  • Two additional mediation sessions are scheduled on March 30 and April 1.

The players

Greg Pereira

President of Central Oregon Community College.

Erica Skatvold

Chair of the COCC board of directors.

Classified Association of COCC (CACOCC/OEA)

The union representing custodians, administrative assistants, enrollment staff and other hourly positions at COCC.

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What they’re saying

“We respect the right of our classified employees to participate in this process. COCC remains committed to reaching an agreement that is fair, sustainable and supports the long-term health of the College and the students we serve.”

— Greg Pereira, President, Central Oregon Community College

“Our mission at COCC is to serve our community by ensuring equitable and accessible lifelong education to our students. A strike has the potential to significantly impact the College's day-to-day operations and the many services our students rely on to be successful. We are putting plans in place to maintain essential operations and support services to minimize the disruption to our current and incoming students until we are able to reach an agreement. We remain committed to negotiating as we work toward an agreement that both honors our commitments to our staff, students and the community.”

— Erica Skatvold, Chair, COCC Board of Directors

What’s next

The college and union will continue negotiations, with two additional mediation sessions scheduled on March 30 and April 1. If an agreement is not reached, the union has authorized a strike starting April 2, 2026.

The takeaway

This labor dispute highlights the delicate balance public institutions like COCC must strike between fair compensation for staff and long-term financial sustainability to maintain affordable, accessible education for their communities. A strike could significantly disrupt student services, underscoring the importance of reaching a mutually agreeable contract.