Hello Dear Colleagues,
Happy May! I hope you’re finding some joy in the return of the sunshine and the abundance of blooms that surround us this time of year. I love the garden for reminders that the toils of our labor can bring flower and fruit.
I’ve been thinking about the invisible labor we do for our students, colleagues, and community, and how lucky I feel to work with all of you. Our union buoys my spirit when I feel disheartened by the state of the world or the lack of empathy from PCC administration. When our administration disempowers workers they fail to value this beautiful thing we co-create together.
I am deeply grateful for the passion and thoughtfulness of my colleagues. Our administrators may not respect our expertise, labor and commitment, but we see and respect each other. I see our members building community, growing solidarity, and fighting to protect what’s being threatened. For me, that makes it all worth it!
One of the big organizing opportunities right now is regarding the self-study results that have brought so much turmoil and distress to our students, our community, and our colleagues across the college, including proposed cuts to much-beloved programs and shuttering the Music and Sonic Arts program. There has been some great organizing that’s been happening to push back on these short-sighted cuts and much more to come! If your department was affected, please reach out to Yvette Rosales yvette.rosales@pccffap.org to get involved!
We’ve got so much to share this month! Please see below for news, meetings, actions, solidarity and more!
Events
- Join your FFAP colleagues for a fun night out together to watch a Portland Pickles game! Tickets provided!! May 28, 2025. An email with a form to sign up for tickets will go out soon!
News and Updates
- Contract bargaining over economic issues begins this month! (this time, for real–we hope!! Admin had been dragging their feet. Then more than 350 of you sent emails asking PCC admin to show up to the table and they listened! Bargaining begins on May 23rd! Watch your email for details and make sure to show up, either in person or via zoom to show your solidarity!
- The People’s Budget Forum Recording: On Monday, April 28th, our resident budget experts led a forum on PCC’s budget and the manufactured crisis. It was a great conversation and so informative! If you missed it, you can watch the recording here: The people’s budget forum
- Shared Governance Panel Recording: On Monday, May 6, we invited a panel from Clackamas CC to talk about how their shared governance is operating and what it’s doing to strengthen their work serving students. That panel discussion can be viewed here: SG panel with CCC
Actions
- If you haven’t yet, please take 10 minutes to fill out the 2025 Bargaining Survey. This re-opener will determine our wages and benefits for September 2025-August 2027.
- The FFAP Communications Committee is looking for help creating infographics during bargaining so that we can get information to members via our website, email, and social media channels. If you are skilled at Canva or similar graphic design apps and want to join our effort, please reach out to FFAP VP for Communications Michelle DuBarry michelle.dubarry@pccffap.org. Students welcome!
- The Federation Nominations and Elections (FNOMNEL) Committee is proud to announce our 2025 candidates. Read the candidate statements on the website here and get ready to vote! You will receive your electronic ballot on Tuesday, May 27. The election will close on Thursday, June 5 at 5:00 p.m. Please note that we still need a candidate for the VP for Political and Legislative Action. This position comes with an annual honorarium. Contact Marianne Stupfel-Wallace at marianne.stupfelwallace@pccffap.org if you are interested in this position or would like more information. If you have colleagues who are not yet a member of the union, this is their last chance to join in order to have a say in this election. Here is the link to the Online Membership Form. If you or a colleague are unsure of your membership status, email courtney.bailey@pccffap.org. Thank you for keeping our union democracy strong!
- Workers are under attack, and here in Oregon we have a unique opportunity to stand together and fight back. Senate Bill 916A will help thwart attacks on workers by extending unemployment benefits to us when we go on strike, ensuring that working people are able to keep the lights on and put food on the table.
It is urgent that lawmakers hear from as many constituents as possible to ensure this bill moves forward for all workers in Oregon. Click here to send a letter to your state representative instantly. If you’re able to, phone calls to legislative offices ensure that our lawmakers know what matters to their constituents. Click here to call your state representative to ask them to vote yes on SB 916A.
Meetings
- Executive Council Meeting
- Friday, June 6, 2-4pm, Climb, 207 and Zoom
(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)
- Contract Action Team (CAT) Meetings
Tuesday, May 13, 12-1:30 Zoom
Wednesday, June 4, 4-5:30 Zoom
- Committee Meetings
- Solidarity Committee Thursday, May 8, 12-1:30 and Monday, June 9, 12-1:30. Please contact Nichole Reding to join: nichole.reding@pccffap.org
- Organizing Committee Mondays: May 5 & 19, June 2, 4 & 30 4:00-5:30 Zoom
All members are welcome!
- 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: May 7, June 4, 4-5 pm Zoom
- AP Monthly Meeting: First Wednesdays: May 7, June 4, 10-11am Zoom
- PT Faculty Meetings TBD. Watch your inbox!
Solidarity (news and upcoming actions)
- Congratulations to our colleagues at Clackamas County Employees Association who got a Tentative Agreement after a long contract struggle and a definitive strike vote! When Unions demonstrate their power, they can create meaningful change.
- OR AFL-CIO: Support Federal Workers
Urgent Requests: If you have not already done so, call Congress to demand federal bargaining rights are restored, donate to AFGE’s defense fund, and take a moment to join unions around the nation in signing this petition to demand an end to the assault on our rights to organize and protest.
- CALL CONGRESS: Restore Federal Bargaining Rights Now Or Dial 844-896-5059
- AFGE Defense Fund
- Labor Demands an End to the Assault on the Right to Organize and Protest
- Join us on Thursday, May 15 for Portland Jobs With Justice’s Spring Solidarity Social — a rooftop evening of connection, celebration, and community. This event brings together labor activists, community organizers, and social justice advocates to share victories, build new relationships, and strengthen our collective solidarity. Enjoy drinks, music, and casual conversations with a gorgeous view. We’ll have light programming with report-backs from the movement, but mostly, it’s a chance to relax and meet like-minded folks. Tickets are $10 — RSVP required. If you are interested in attending, contact Nichole Reding, nichole.reding@pccffap.org FFAP will be purchasing a block of tickets.
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: Laura Wadlin laura.wadlin@pccffap.org and Erik Johnsen erik.johnsen@pccffap.org
FT Faculty: Yvette Rosales yvette.rosales@pccffap.org
APs: Phyllis Petteys phyllis.petteys
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_/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pccffap/
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