Hello Dear Colleagues,
Summer is here and while many of us are enjoying some well-earned rest and time with family and friends, I want to acknowledge the threats and fear that many in our community are feeling. I know we are a community with differing beliefs and perspectives, and as a union, it’s important that we remain open to each other and make space for healthy debate and true democracy. I’m here for that work. I speak not for the union here—but for myself—when I say that the stripping of our freedoms and rights and safety is deeply terrifying to me. From watching ICE kidnap people off the streets, to seeing the 8 day build of a concentration camp in Florida, to a brain-dead pregnant woman being kept on life-support against her family’s wishes under Georgia’s abortion law, to the looming largest cuts to Medicaid in our nation’s history. It’s more than anyone can reasonably absorb; I believe it’s designed to be, designed to overwhelm us. I often struggle with how to thread the needle of facing the difficult truths and fighting the good fight while still practicing revolutionary joy in dark times. I am scared and I am fighting, and I am still seeking spaces for joy and hope. I spend time with the sea, the garden, loved ones, my artmaking practice, and doing organizing work with our union. All of these spaces buoy me and remind me of my place in the world; they remind me that we may be small, but the power we can build together is mighty. I hope you, too, are making good trouble, finding joy and connection in the fight, and making time for peace and hope and pleasure.
On Saturday June 14, a group of union members gathered to make signs and march together in Portland’s no Kings March. It was a heartening and empowering event. We’ll keep showing up together. Watch your email for more opportunities to get involved.
Students, FFAP & FCE members, and the community packed May’s PCC Board meeting to demand that the Board halt the administration’s harmful and unnecessary cuts to programs. The board seemed moved and supportive, but they haven’t yet taken decisive action to stop the cuts. We’re turning up the heat with a petition and a rally demanding that they stop the cuts and protect our vibrant and valuable programs. We’ve got over 450 signatures so far and the petition is full of powerful testimony. It’s heartening to read. You can read the responses here and if you have not yet signed, you can read and sign the petition here. On Thursday July 17 we will host a rally at the Cascade Campus Quad. After the rally, we’ll trek together to Sylvania to deliver the petition to the board and cabinet. Watch your email for more details soon. Please show up and share widely!
Our economic reopener bargaining continues. Please show up to our bargaining sessions to show support and solidarity. Our next session is at Rock Creek campus on July 14 from 11am-1:30pm. The more folks who show up, the more power we have to fight for a fair contract and the working and learning conditions we and our students deserve! Upcoming bargaining dates are below.
See below for upcoming events, news, and actions, including a job posting for FFAP and some actually (truly!!) great news for our ongoing organizing!
Events
- STOP THE CUTS Rally
Thursday, July 17, 4-5:30, Cascade Campus Quad Watch your email for more details.
Show up and be heard!! - Please show up to our Bargaining sessions with the college!
Tuesday, July 1, 9:30-12:00 Climb, 207 and zoom
Monday Jul 14, 2025 11:00am – 1:30pm Rock Creek, Bldg 2, room 258 and zoom
Thursday July 31, time and location TBD
Thursday August 7, time and location TBD
Tuesday August 26, time and location TBD
News and Updates
- In a historic win for working Oregonians, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed Oregon’s Senate Bill 916 into law. This legislation allows for striking workers to receive unemployment benefits! The bill will take effect January 1, 2026. Oregon is now the fourth state to allow striking workers to receive UI, following New York, New Jersey, and Washington.
- In May, 2023 a group of ESOL instructors attempted to meet with PCC administration to discuss an urgent issue impacting their department. The PCC Administration responded by kicking the instructors out of their office, calling public safety, and writing a 3-page letter reprimanding the instructors and federation leadership for violating college policy. The action taken by instructors is a textbook example of “concerted activity” by union members, a time-honored and legally protected approach to address work-related issues as a group. We filed an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) complaint against the College, and we are pleased to report that the College has settled with the federation, and as part of the settlement rescinded their letter.
- FFAP is hiring! Lead Organizer – Solidarity and Political Action
We are so excited to dedicate a paid position to building worker solidarity and staying connected to ways that labor and politics overlap and integrate. Feel free to share this with anyone who is interested in a career in labor! See the full job description here.
Actions
- Have you signed our Petition to STOP THE CUTS to vital PCC Programs yet? If you have already signed, have you read the testimony? Read it and then share with your colleagues and friends!
Meetings
- Executive Council Meeting
- Thursday, July 10, 1-3pm on Zoom and Cascade Campus (location TBD)
(all PCCFFAP members are welcome to attend and observe. Only elected Executive Council members can vote. If you have something you’d like to be discussed/ added to the agenda, please contact PCCFFAP President Ben Cushing ben.cushing@pccffap.org)
- Thursday, July 10, 1-3pm on Zoom and Cascade Campus (location TBD)
- Committee Meetings
- Solidarity Committee Thursday August 7, 3:00-5:00pm, on zoom.
Please contact Nichole Reding to join: nichole.reding@pccffap.org - Organizing Committee Mondays: July 14 & 28, August 11 &25, 4:00-5:30pm on Zoom
All members are welcome! - Finance Committee Meeting Wednesday, July 23, 12:00-1:30pm on zoom.
If you’re interested in joining the Finance Committee, please email kathleen.janicki@pccffap.org
- Solidarity Committee Thursday August 7, 3:00-5:00pm, on zoom.
- Bargaining Advisory Council Meetings
The bargaining advisory councils give space for us to develop shared goals for organizing with our coworkers and bargaining a contract that addresses our issues. Each job class will meet regularly, facilitated by the elected Lead Steward for that group, as well as, the bargaining team member(s) in that group. Any FFAP member is welcome. - FT Faculty Monthly Meeting: First Wednesdays: August 6, 4-5 pm Zoom
- AP Monthly Meeting: First Wednesdays: July 2, August 6, 10-11am Zoom
- PT Faculty Meetings TBD. Watch your inbox!
Solidarity (news and upcoming actions)
- Portland Street Response resolution passes!
Launched as a pilot program in 2021, PSR gives 911 dispatchers the option to send teams of unarmed crisis counselors and paramedics to nonviolent, mental and behavioral health calls in place of sending police. This resolution expands the program to 24/7citywide. You can read all about it here. This is a huge win for the health and safety of all of Portland’s residents.
For more information about solidarity and to sign up for the solidarity dispatch contact our solidarity officer Nichole Reding nichole.reding@pccffap.org
More Opportunities to get involved
- Join our Contract Action (CAT) team! CAT leaders are a dedicated group of faculty and APs who work to keep everyone informed, connected, and involved in the bargaining process. Pop in to a meeting (below) or learn more and join here.
- Become a Union Steward! Stewards help coworkers solve problems, educate members on their rights, protect members when there is an issue with management and more.
To become a Steward, Contact the Lead Steward who represents your employee class:
PT Faculty: Erik Johnsen erik.johnsen@pccffap.org
FT Faculty: Yvette Rosales yvette.rosales
APs: Phyllis Petteys phyllis.petteys@pccffap.org
CTE: Jacob Richman jacob.richman@pccffap.org
Check out more ways to get involved here: https://pccffap.org/resources/get-involved/
Connect with us on socials:
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/pccffap.bsky.social
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_pccffap_/
Discord: https://discord.gg/pNSCE7AuDg
If you have announcements you’d like shared in our next newsletter, please email me: shelley.chamberlin@pccffap.org
Until then, take care of yourselves and take care of each other.
In Solidarity,
Shelley Chamberlin
PCC Art Department Faculty
PCCFFAP Part Time Organizer