Union workers at Portland Community College (PCC) say they’re ready to strike over the college’s offer of 0.35% annual raises. Two unions at PCC, the Federation of Faculty and Academic Professionals (PCCFFAP) and the Federation of Classified Employees (PCCFCE), jointly declared impasse in bargaining Jan. 30 and could go on strike as soon as March 10 after a state-mandated 30-day cooling off period and 10-day strike notice.
PCCFFAP and PCCFCE have been bargaining over economics since last spring.
PCCFFAP’s latest proposal raises wages 8.75% over two years for 1,600 full and part-time faculty and academic professionals. PCCFCE has proposed 6.5% over two years for nearly 700 classified workers, ranging from food service to IT workers.
PCC’s offer would total between 0.7% and 0.85% over two years, depending on state funding for year two. The unions want the first year raises to be retroactive and also want PCC to increase its contribution toward health insurance costs.
“We want to be a fair and competitive employer, while also being mindful of the financial issues that all public colleges are facing,” PCC President Adrien Bennings wrote in a Feb. email to students. “That means working toward agreements that support employees without causing layoffs, reducing available classes, or increasing costs for students.”
Bennings makes more than $330,000 a year plus $30,000 for a car and other expenses.
PCCFFAP President Ben Cushing said the unions have been screaming from the rooftops that the college is making irresponsible financial decisions, cutting courses and programs like Music and Sonic Arts while going on a manager hiring spree. The number of managers at PCC has grown 29% since 2018, the union said.
Other public educators have recently gotten raises of 3% and higher, like classified staff at Lane Community College, teachers at Portland Public Schools, and faculty and academic professionals at Columbia Gorge Community College.
More than 75% of PCCFFAP and PCCFCE members have already signed strike pledges, but official strike authorization votes were scheduled for after press time.
