Portland Community College leaders and two unions representing instructors and staff are preparing for another round of negotiations on Wednesday as a historic strike passes the 13-day mark.

Both sides are applying pressure in hopes of reaching a final deal.

Leaders of the state’s largest higher education institution say they may need to delay the start of the spring term by a week if the unions fail to agree to the latest proposal.

Spring term is scheduled to start Monday, March 30, but college administrators say that without a deal right away, the term may be delayed until April 6.

Union leaders have also said they want an agreement as soon as possible. The unions have received public support from many students, high-level lawmakers and officials.

“I’m doing everything I can to encourage resolution of a fair contract for the workers at PCC,” U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, said in a video statement. “It is so important that a basic cost-of-living adjustment helps address the rising costs.”

The sides appear to be close on cost-of-living increases for faculty and staff, but talks stalled around 1 a.m. Tuesday.

In the latest proposal, PCC offered a 2% cost of living adjustment for this year and a 3% adjustment for next school year.

“We are optimistic about this competitive offer and eager to reach an agreement with both negotiation teams,” PCC President Adrien Bennings said in a statement. “Continuing to place our students in a prolonged state of uncertainty is untenable for their success.”

But union leaders say they want the college to provide restorative pay for workers on strike, a point the unions say the college has refused to entertain.

None of the proposals put forward by the school has included back pay for striking workers.

Workers on strike are likely eligible for unemployment insurance in Oregon.

Union leaders say they are encouraging members to apply for those benefits each week they are on strike.

The Federation of Faculty and Academic Professionals and the Federation of Classified Employees represent a combined 2,300 faculty members and classified workers at the school.

The Federation of Faculty and Academic Professionals at PCC represents around 1,600 teaching faculty and other academic staff. The classified employees union includes close to 700 college support workers such as administrative assistants, front desk clerks, technology staff, custodians and public safety officers.

After nearly a year of negotiations with college leadership, the two unions went on strike on March 11, marking the first strike ever among Oregon’s 17 community colleges.

When the strike first started, college leaders said operations would continue by remote. However, they later acknowledged that classes were mostly being canceled.

Some academic deadlines have been extended.

PCC is currently on spring break, with the spring term scheduled to begin in less than a week.

Leaders from PCC and the pair of unions are expected back at the bargaining table on Wednesday.

Tiffany Camhi contributed to this story.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/03/24/pcc-staff-faculty-remain-on-strike-as-leaders-unions-apply-pressure/