COCC Board Approves New Faculty Contract
The Central Oregon Community College Board of Directors finalized a three-year agreement following months of negotiations.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Unions
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The Central Oregon Community College Board of Directors officially approved a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with the Faculty Forum. This decision follows a period of intense labor negotiations that saw faculty members vote to strike in September.
Why it matters
The new contract resolves months of labor disputes at the college by securing significant compensation increases for both full-time and adjunct staff. It aims to stabilize the workforce and align faculty pay schedules through a restructured salary system.
The agreement includes a 19% first-year salary increase for full-time staff and a nearly 48% boost for adjuncts, alongside a 3% annual cost-of-living adjustment. The full-time salary schedule was also restructured, reducing the progression steps from 23 to 15.
The players
Central Oregon Community College
This is a public community college based in Bend that serves students across Central Oregon.
Faculty Forum
This is the collective bargaining representative for the faculty members at Central Oregon Community College.
The details
The agreement was reached after months of negotiations and mediation between the college and the Faculty Forum. Faculty members had previously voted to authorize a strike in September before teams reached a tentative deal on October 2, which the union later ratified.
Timeline
September 2026: Faculty members voted to strike.
October 2, 2026: Bargaining teams reached a tentative agreement.
October 4, 2026: The Faculty Forum ratified the contract.
October 14, 2026: The Board of Directors approved the contract.
Political Context
Opponents of the contract might express concern regarding the budgetary pressures these substantial salary increases could place on student tuition rates or other institutional funding needs. Some critics of public sector unions often argue that such rapid compensation growth exceeds local inflation benchmarks.
The approval of this contract provides immediate financial certainty for faculty, which may lead to more stable course availability for local students. While the board has secured the agreement, the long-term impact on the college's operational budget and potential future tuition adjustments remains a point of interest for local taxpayers.
The takeaway
This agreement highlights the role of collective bargaining in addressing faculty compensation gaps in higher education. Staff and students can expect greater stability following the resolution of the recent labor impasse.
Further reading
For more information on organized labor developments in the region, visit the Unions section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KTVZ.
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