PCC Faculty Union Calls on Gov. Kotek to Intervene as Strike Enters Third Week

Union leaders say the strike highlights a "failure of leadership" and call for the governor to demand a fair agreement for faculty.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 5:49am

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The Portland Community College faculty union, the Federation of Faculty and Academic Professionals' Union (PCCFFAP), has been on strike for better pay and benefits for the past three weeks. On Thursday, union members rallied and called on Governor Tina Kotek to step in and help resolve the ongoing dispute. While the college's other union, the Federation of Classified Employees, has reached a tentative agreement, the faculty union says the state's leadership is needed to secure a fair deal for instructors.

Why it matters

The PCC faculty strike has disrupted classes and left students' academic futures in limbo. The union's call for the governor's intervention highlights the broader challenges facing public higher education, including funding shortfalls and disputes over compensation and benefits. The outcome of this labor dispute could set a precedent for how similar conflicts are handled at other state-funded colleges and universities.

The details

The PCCFFAP union has been on strike since early March, with hundreds of faculty members rallying along Southwest Naito Parkway near Waterfront Park on Thursday to show their solidarity. Union co-chair Laura Wadlin criticized the college's leadership, saying "How the hell did this happen? How did we get to such a failure of leadership?" The union is calling on Governor Kotek to step in and demand a fair agreement for faculty, even as the college's other union has reached a tentative deal for non-faculty workers.

  • The PCC faculty strike began in early March 2026.
  • The strike entered its third week on March 27, 2026.
  • On March 26, 2026, the college's other union, the Federation of Classified Employees, voted to ratify their agreement with PCC.

The players

Laura Wadlin

Co-chair of the strike committee for the Federation of Faculty and Academic Professionals' Union (PCCFFAP).

Tina Kotek

Governor of Oregon, who the union is calling on to intervene in the PCC faculty strike.

Meryl DePeasquale

PCC administrative assistant and member of the PCCFFAP union.

Federation of Faculty and Academic Professionals' Union (PCCFFAP)

The union representing PCC faculty members who are on strike for better pay and benefits.

Federation of Classified Employees

The union representing non-faculty PCC employees, who have reached a tentative agreement with the college.

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What they’re saying

“I think people need to start asking, 'How the hell did this happen? How did we get to such a failure of leadership?'”

— Laura Wadlin, Co-chair of the strike committee for the PCCFFAP union

“Spending this time on the picket line with my co-workers has been life-changing for me. And our solidarity has been incredible.”

— Meryl DePeasquale, PCC administrative assistant

What’s next

Governor Kotek has said she will keep pushing for a strong agreement for PCC faculty, and the union is hopeful that her intervention will help resolve the ongoing strike.

The takeaway

The PCC faculty strike highlights the broader challenges facing public higher education, including funding shortfalls and disputes over compensation and benefits. The outcome of this labor dispute could set a precedent for how similar conflicts are handled at other state-funded colleges and universities, underscoring the need for strong leadership and collaborative solutions to support faculty and ensure students' academic success.