Classified Staff at Oregon College Reach Deal, Avoid Strike

After over a year of negotiations, the college and union reached a tentative agreement just before a planned walkout.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:51pm

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A blurred, atmospheric scene of a college campus, with indistinct figures moving through pools of warm, soft light, conceptually representing the resolution of a labor dispute and the preservation of normal campus life.The tentative agreement between COCC and its classified staff union averts a disruptive strike, allowing the campus community to continue its daily operations uninterrupted.Bend Today

Less than 24 hours before a planned strike by classified staff at Central Oregon Community College, the college and the Classified Association of COCC/Oregon Education Association union reached a tentative agreement. The union, which represents about 124 support staff, voted 98% to approve the new contract, avoiding what would have been the first-ever strike at the college.

Why it matters

The strike would have significantly impacted students, staff, and faculty at the college. The successful negotiations and contract ratification demonstrate the power of collective bargaining and the willingness of both sides to compromise and find a solution that works for the campus community.

The details

Negotiations between the college and the classified union had been ongoing for over a year, with the two sides disagreeing on issues like wages and insurance. In February, they entered into state-mandated mediation, but reached an impasse. The union then voted to begin striking on Thursday morning. However, the two parties came to a tentative agreement on Wednesday afternoon, which the union then voted 98% to ratify.

  • The classified staff union and COCC reached a tentative agreement less than 24 hours before the planned strike was set to begin on Thursday morning.
  • Negotiations between the college and the union had been ongoing for over a year.
  • In February, the two sides entered into state-mandated mediation, but reached an impasse.

The players

Erica Skatvold

Chair of the COCC Board of Directors.

Scott Dove

President of the Classified Association of Central Oregon Community College/Oregon Education Association.

Kate Donahue

Administrative Assistant and classified union member who works at the Wickiup Hall Residence Hall.

Classified Association of Central Oregon Community College/Oregon Education Association

The union representing about 124 classified support staff at the college.

Central Oregon Community College

The community college located in Bend, Oregon where the classified staff were negotiating a new contract.

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What they’re saying

“We appreciate the time, effort and collaboration from all involved in reaching this tentative agreement. Our focus throughout this process has been to support our employees while ensuring we remain financially sustainable and able to serve our students and community. We are grateful to have the opportunity to bring this to closure.”

— Erica Skatvold, Chair of the COCC Board of Directors

“We had a lot of support and a real upswell of support from our community, from our faculty, and from our students. We had so many students telling us that they had emailed their (COCC) board members, they have contacted the president and so on. And those are just the ones that told us. I think there's a lot more that did, that didn't (tell us). And so that was hugely, hugely heartening. And we are so thankful for that because I think that support really helped us to get to a much better place with the agreement that we ended up reaching with the college.”

— Scott Dove, President of the Classified Association of Central Oregon Community College/Oregon Education Association

“I'm delighted that we came to an agreement. I'm relieved. It's been a very interesting experience. I've been a worker bee for 55 years, so I have never been in this position before with representation. I'm thrilled at the representation that we had. And yeah, I think that good things can happen. And I think we really know that there's a lot of work that we can do to even make it better for everyone here at COCC.”

— Kate Donahue, Administrative Assistant and classified union member

What’s next

The classified staff at COCC will be celebrating their new contract with a waffle breakfast on Friday.

The takeaway

This successful negotiation between the college and its classified staff union demonstrates the power of collective bargaining and the willingness of both sides to find a compromise that supports employees while ensuring the college's financial sustainability and ability to serve students.