UPDATE: COCC leaders address contract impasse, say union proposal would drain reserves

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Central Oregon Community College (COCC) and the Faculty Forum union have declared an impasse in ongoing contract negotiations. The declaration follows more than seven months of bargaining and three mediation sessions between the two parties.

The impasse declaration transitions the dispute into a formal phase established by state labor laws. Four contract articles remain open, with most unresolved issues centered on compensation and college expenditures.

The college and the union remain divided over multiyear expenditures. The college's current proposal would add approximately $4.1 million in expenditures over the three-year contract term, while the Faculty Forum's offer would increase costs by about $8.5 million. COCC currently holds approximately $8 million in financial reserves and college projections show the union's offer would deplete all of those reserves.

Under the college's proposal, the faculty salary schedule would be reduced from 23 steps to 15. The offer includes average salary increases of 9.4% for full-time faculty and 13.5% for adjunct faculty in the first year, followed by annual step increases of 2% for probationary faculty and 3.1% for tenured faculty, alongside a 2.75% cost-of-living adjustment in the second and third years. Jim Porter, chair of the COCC Board of Directors, outlined the board's position on negotiations.

“While reaching impasse marks a new phase in the bargaining process, our focus remains on working toward resolution,” Porter said. “The Board recognizes COCC has a dedicated faculty who deserve and need increased compensation and we're committed to reaching an agreement that meaningfully invests in faculty while balancing student affordability and the long-term financial health of the College. We remain hopeful that the parties can find a path forward.”

The Faculty Forum's current offer includes an average salary increase of 26.1% for full-time continuing faculty and 68.1% for adjunct faculty in the first year of the agreement. In years two and three, probationary faculty would receive a 2% step increase and tenured faculty a 3.75% step increase, in addition to a 3% cost-of-living adjustment each year.

College projections indicate that full-time faculty have received an average annual salary increase of 5.01% over the past 20 years, compared with an average of 3.65% for administrators over the same span. COCC President Greg Pereira emphasized the administration's focus during the process.

“COCC's faculty are central to our mission and to the success of our students and we deeply value the work they do,” Pereira said. “We will continue looking for opportunities to find resolution and keep our focus where it belongs — on our students.”

The college's latest proposal also includes a professor merit bonus, accelerated timelines for tenure and promotion, increases to lab and clinical loads and higher rates for summer and overload work. Porter reiterated the college's stance on moving forward in bargaining.

“We remain hopeful that an agreement can be reached,” Porter said. “Impasse is another step in the bargaining process, not the end of it. The College remains ready to work toward a fair and sustainable resolution that supports our faculty, our students and the communities we serve.”

Under Oregon law, both parties must submit final offers and cost summaries within seven days of an impasse declaration. That submission begins a mandatory 30-day cooling-off period during which negotiations may continue, with a mediation session scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 17.

You can find more statements from the union in our previous reporting.