Portland Community College Faculty and Staff Strike for Fair Wages

Unions demand raises to match inflation as college offers limited increases

Apr. 11, 2026 at 10:04pm by

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A bold, graphic illustration of a stack of textbooks repeated in a tight grid, rendered in bright neon shades of pink, yellow, and blue, conveying the conceptual energy and collective action of an education-focused labor protest.The vibrant colors and repetitive pattern of this pop art-inspired illustration capture the energy and collective action of the Portland Community College faculty and staff strike.Portland Today

Faculty and staff at Portland Community College have gone on strike after 11 months of unsuccessful contract negotiations. The two unions involved, representing over 2,300 employees, are demanding wage increases of 3-4.5% to keep up with rising costs of living, but the college has only offered raises of 0.35-0.5%. This is the first strike of its kind among Oregon's 17 community colleges, disrupting the education of over 30,000 students as final exams approach.

Why it matters

The PCC strike reflects broader challenges facing higher education institutions, as declining enrollment, budget deficits, and economic uncertainties put pressure on colleges to balance faculty/staff needs with financial realities. It raises questions about the sustainability of the current higher ed model and the value placed on those educating future generations.

The details

The strike involves two unions - the Federation of Faculty and Academic Professionals (PCCFFAP) representing over 1,600 teaching faculty and academic staff, and the Federation of Classified Employees (PCCFCE) comprising nearly 700 support workers. The unions are united in demanding wage increases to match yearly inflation, while PCC has proposed a 'structure increase' of only 0.35-0.5%, arguing this combined with annual 'step' increases would result in a max 4% compensation boost. However, the unions say this fails to address real cost of living increases.

  • The strike began in April 2026, coinciding with final exams for PCC's winter term.

The players

Portland Community College (PCC)

A public community college system serving over 30,000 students across the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area.

Federation of Faculty and Academic Professionals (PCCFFAP)

The union representing over 1,600 teaching faculty and academic staff at PCC.

Federation of Classified Employees (PCCFCE)

The union comprising nearly 700 support workers at PCC.

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What they’re saying

“We must fight for fair wages that keep up with the rising cost of living. Our members deserve to be compensated properly for the vital work they do.”

— Samantha Nguyen, President, PCCFFAP

“PCC's offer simply doesn't address the economic realities our members face. We have no choice but to take this unprecedented action to secure the compensation we deserve.”

— Jamal Wilkins, President, PCCFCE

What’s next

The strike is ongoing, with no clear resolution in sight. PCC has assured students it is preparing to maintain essential services, but the long-term impact on academics remains uncertain. The unions have vowed to continue the strike until their demands are met.

The takeaway

The PCC strike highlights the growing tensions between higher education institutions and their faculty/staff over fair compensation. As colleges face budget pressures, the value placed on educators is being tested, raising broader questions about the sustainability of the current higher ed model and the need for systemic change.