Portland Community College Union Workers Vote to Authorize First-Ever Strike

Both faculty and support staff unions at PCC overwhelmingly voted to strike after stalled contract negotiations.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Workers represented by the Federation of Faculty and Academic Professionals (PCCFFAP) and the Federation of Classified Employees (PCCFCE) at Portland Community College have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike, the first in the college's history. The unions are seeking better wages and benefits after negotiations with the college administration stalled.

Why it matters

This potential strike at PCC would be the first at a community college in Oregon and the first time faculty and support staff have jointly conducted a strike at an Oregon institution. It highlights growing tensions between workers and college administrations over issues like wages and budget priorities.

The details

94% of PCCFFAP and PCCFCE members who voted approved the strike authorization. The PCCFFAP represents over 1,600 full and part-time faculty, while the PCCFCE represents nearly 700 classified workers. Bargaining began in May 2025, and the unions say the PCC administration allocated less than 1% of their biennial budget for bargaining while increasing the President's Office budget by $17 million.

  • Bargaining began in May 2025.
  • The unions submitted their final offers in the first week of February 2026.
  • The unions will legally be allowed to strike as early as March 10, 2026.

The players

PCCFFAP

The Federation of Faculty and Academic Professionals, the union representing over 1,600 full and part-time faculty at Portland Community College.

PCCFCE

The Federation of Classified Employees, the union representing nearly 700 classified workers at Portland Community College.

Ben Cushing

President of the PCCFFAP.

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What they’re saying

“Like all workers, our members are facing the affordability crisis. We refuse to watch our wages lose ground to inflation. And we know that unions are the anchor that can prevent the entire working class from losing ground. We're in this together.”

— Ben Cushing, PCCFFAP President (KPTV)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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