updated February 16, 2026
What is a strike?
A strike happens when workers collectively vote to withhold their labor, usually due to the failure to reach a satisfactory agreement in contract bargaining. This means all faculty and academic professionals stop working – no class, grades, meetings, projects, emails, or anything else. We would instead have picket lines and continue to put pressure on administration to agree to a fair contract. Classified employees (administrative assistants, custodial services, food services, and technology staff) may also be striking at the same time.
Who might go on strike at PCC?
PCC workers have two different unions. One (the Federation of Classified Employees “FCE”) is composed of classified staff such as administrative assistants, tech services, facilities workers, bus drivers and food service workers. The other (the Federation of Faculty and Academic Professionals “FFAP”) is composed of teachers, librarians, academic advisors and other educational staff. Both unions are currently bargaining and could vote to strike.
Why might workers go on strike?
For a PCC that is better for students and workers. FFAP might be forced to strike if management won’t agree to a fair contract that gives workers what we need and deserve. We put forward strong and reasonable offers for faculty and academic professionals to have better wages and benefits.
Why do many students support a strike?
PCC needs to change. Our college has become increasingly top down, and out of touch administrators are cutting popular programs and eliminating course offerings. The corporate model of higher education is bad for students and workers alike. PCC working conditions are students’ learning conditions. Plus, students are also workers, and they know that all workers deserve fair wages and working conditions. We’re in this together!
What services at PCC might be impacted?
There won’t be classes and there will be reduced services during a strike. If you receive services through PCC, the workers coordinating those services can point you to potential alternative options. A short-term sacrifice might be the only way to win much-needed institutional changes for students and workers alike. If there is a strike, we hope students will join us on the picket lines!
What will happen to my credits and financial aid?
If your final exam is canceled due to the strike, your instructor will have an alternative plan for assigning grades.
Students will get credit and financial aid as soon as the strike is over and grades are submitted.
There will be a backlog for Financial Aid workers when we return, so it may take several days. Winter disbursement is contingent on grades; once the term ends, the Financial Aid office has to make sure that students are eligible to receive disbursement for that term. This affects any student attending winter with aid awarded. Spring packaging is contingent on satisfactory academic progress; without grades, they can’t determine student eligibility for Spring awards. This affects any student in suspension or warning status in winter.
If you are concerned about delayed credits impacting your academic plans, please join us in pressuring PCC to settle a fair contract as soon as possible to avoid disruptions.
When might a strike happen? How long will it last?
If workers are forced to strike, it will probably be at the end of winter term. It will last until workers and managers come to agreement on a contract. Many strikes last only a few days, and some last for weeks. The college administration can end the strike at anytime by agreeing to the union’s priorities.
Could spring term be delayed?
Possibly, yes. We hope we don’t have to strike that long, but it’s possible we will still be on strike when spring term would have started. If that happens, spring term may be shortened much like if there was a big weather event.
Although the PCC President said in her email to students that winter and spring terms would not be impacted, that is purely up to her administration and dependent on whether they are willing to agree to a fair contract before the term begins. The truth is, managers cannot conduct classes or continue operations without the labor of unionized employees.
FFAP will do everything we can to negotiate a back-to-work agreement to prevent class cancellations. Students should register for spring term classes as soon as possible.
What if I am a student worker or casual employee?
Your work hours might be temporarily impacted while we are on strike. We know that could pose a real burden. We don’t make the decision to strike lightly. Please talk to your faculty/AP/classified supervisor, coworkers, instructors, and classmates about the support you need during that time.
Managers may ask you to perform the job duties of striking workers during a strike. Before the strike happens, talk to your coworkers and faculty/AP/classified supervisor to make a plan for how to handle that.
How can I support a Strike?
Right now the best thing you can do is sign the Solidarity Pledge. This pledge will be presented to PCC Administration to show that faculty and staff have lots of student and community support for our reasonable demands. You can sign the support pledge here.
If we do go on strike, you can support by showing up to pickets, rallies, and events during the strike. More information will be provided.
How can I find out more?
You can find more information, including viewing the bargaining priorities, by visiting this page. You can also follow @PCCFFAP on instagram and bluesky.
Download our Student FAQ Handout here
Learn More about a Potential Strike