COCC-CACOCC Labor Negotiations
Updates
April 8, 2026: The Central Oregon Community College Board of Directors has approved a new collective bargaining agreement with the Classified Association of COCC (CACOCC/OEA). The agreement was previously ratified by union members with 98% approval and 91% participation.
This agreement reflects a shared commitment to supporting employees while maintaining the long-term financial sustainability of the College.
April 2, 2026: The members of the Classified Association of COCC (CACOCC/OEA) have ratified the tentative
agreement with 98% approval and 91% of members voting. The tentative agreement will
next go up for approval by the COCC Board of Directors. Pending that approval, the
proposal will be implemented. Additional details of the agreement, once approved,
will be shared in the board packet on the COCC website.
April 1, 2026: The College and the Classified Association of COCC (CACOCC/OEA) have reached a tentative agreement. The agreement is subject to ratification by union membership and approval by the COCC Board of Directors. More information on the tentative agreement. Additional details will be shared following ratification.
On March 20, 2026, CACOCC/OEA notified the College of their intent to strike, effective April 2, 2026. During the impasse period, which began on February 23, 2026, CACOCC/OEA and the College have continued to negotiate with the help of a state mediator and intend to mediate up to the potential strike period.
As of February 23, 2026, CACOCC/OEA declared impasse following mediation in contract negotiations with Central Oregon Community College. Under Oregon’s public collective bargaining law, this begins a formal statutory process that includes submission of final offers and costing of proposals and a designated 30-day cooling-off period.
Those final offers and the costing of the proposals are located on the Employee Relations Board (ERB) website:
• Classified Association of Central Oregon Community College (CACOCC)
• Central Oregon Community College
The College remains committed to negotiating in good faith and to reaching an agreement that provides meaningful compensation increases while ensuring long-term financial sustainability for the institution and the students we serve.
Agreement Overview
The approved agreement covers the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028 and includes updates to compensation, benefits and working conditions for classified employees.
Compensation
- Year 1 (2025–26): 6% wage increase
- Year 2 (2026–27): 4.5% wage increase
- Year 3 (2027–28): 4.5% wage increase
- Additional: 2% step increase each year of the contract
- A grand total of 22.5% (compounded) in wage increases over three years, equaling $1.9 million in wage and benefits increases.
Benefits
- Transition to tiered insurance benefits structure and rates beginning October 1, 2026
- Continued employer support for employee health coverage, personal leave, health and safety, and utilization of accrued vacation.
- Estimated cost savings to the College in Years 2 and 3 due to benefit structure changes
Contract Highlights
Key updates within the agreement include:
- Generous wage and benefits increases
- Expanded non-discrimination protections
- Clarified association and management rights
- Updated grievance procedures with strengthened non-retaliation language
- Improvements to overtime practices and employee protections
- Standardized probationary period with earlier access to paid leave
- Updates to holiday, vacation, sick leave, and bereavement policies
- Adjustments to part-time employee benefits and eligibility
Implementation
Following Board approval, the College will begin implementing the terms of the agreement, including:
- Retroactive compensation adjustments to July 1, 2025
- Updates to payroll, benefits, and HR processes
Looking Ahead
- COCC remains committed to working collaboratively with its employees and labor partners to support a positive workplace environment and to serve students and the broader Central Oregon community.
A Shared Path Forward
This agreement represents the work of many individuals across both the College and the Classified Association. We appreciate the time, effort, and professionalism demonstrated throughout the bargaining process and look forward to moving ahead together.
COCC Employee Experience
COCC offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support employees and their families — professionally, financially and personally.
- Employment at COCC - Voted Best Employer in Central Oregon (50+ employees) three years in a row, COCC offers a collaborative, mission-driven workplace focused on student success and community impact.
- Benefits - Comprehensive, affordable healthcare for employees and their families, with COCC covering significant portions of insurance premiums for medical, dental and vision coverage. Includes flexible spending accounts andhealth savings accounts with employer contributions.
- Wellness & Professional Growth - A holistic approach to employee well-being, including access to wellness programs, recreation facilities and professional development opportunities. Employees and eligible family members receive tuition waivers at COCC, and the College qualifies for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
- Time Off & Work-Life Balance - Generous paid time off, including 11 paid holidays, a paid winter break closure, vacation accrual that increases with years of service personal leave, and dedicated sick leave, plus bereavement and jury duty leave.
- Retirement & Financial Security - Enrollment in the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), with the College paying the employee contribution, along with access to additional tax-advantaged retirement savings plans (403b and 457b).
Financial Context and Reserve Projections
As a public institution, COCC must balance compensation growth with long-term fiscal stability. The Board of Directors has adopted a 29% General Fund reserve policy, which equates to approximately 106 days of operating resources. This policy is intended to protect student services, payroll continuity and academic programs during periods of enrollment fluctuation, state funding changes or unexpected financial disruption.
Current projections already show reserves below that 29% target. The projected reserve level for 2025–26 is 10.81% (approximately 39 days of operating resources), with projections of 12.78% for 2026–27 and between 9% and 12% in subsequent years. The chart below reflects projected reserve levels under current financial models.
Proposed Budget FY25-26
In Thousands (000's)
| Biennium | 2023/25 Biennium | 2025/27 Biennium | 2027/29 Biennium | 2029/31 Biennium | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actual/Projected | Actual 2023/24 |
Actual 2024/25 |
Projected 2025/26 |
Projected 2026/27 |
Projected 2027/28 |
Projected 2028/29 |
Projected 2029/30 |
Projected 2030/31 |
| Operating Revenues & Other Financing Sources | ||||||||
| State Aid | $11,898 | $12,478 | $12,619 | $12,998 | $13,388 | $13,790 | $14,203 | $14,629 |
| Property Taxes | 22,467 | 23,437 | 24,761 | 26,091 | 27,489 | 29,069 | 30,631 | 32,291 |
| Tuition | 18,740 | 19,510 | 21,448 | 22,433 | 23,483 | 24,447 | 25,653 | 26,959 |
| Interest / Program / Misc Income | 1,568 | 5,512 | 4,274 | 1,074 | 1,074 | 1,074 | 1,074 | 1,074 |
| Transfers-in | 3,643 | 2,847 | 5,589 | 1,980 | 1,980 | 1,980 | 1,980 | 1,986 |
| Subtotal | $58,315 | $63,784 | $68,691 | $64,577 | $67,414 | $70,360 | $73,542 | $76,939 |
| Operating Expenditures & Other Financing Uses | ||||||||
| Salaries | $26,129 | $31,072 | $31,073 | $32,014 | $33,099 | $34,221 | $35,383 | $36,586 |
| Payroll Assessments | 15,650 | 17,718 | 18,189 | 18,773 | 19,388 | 20,024 | 20,681 | 21,360 |
| Materials & Services | 7,484 | 8,917 | 9,203 | 9,479 | 9,764 | 10,057 | 10,358 | 10,669 |
| Capital Outlay | 192 | 283 | 193 | 199 | 205 | 211 | 217 | 224 |
| Transfers-out: Operating | 2,787 | 4,288 | 17,071 | 5,022 | 3,223 | 4,287 | 6,087 | 7,087 |
| Subtotal | $52,242 | $62,278 | $75,729 | $65,487 | $65,679 | $68,800 | $72,727 | $75,926 |
| General Fund Contribution & Ending Fund Balance | ||||||||
| Contribution to general fund | $6,073 | $1,506 | ($7,037) | ($910) | $1,735 | $1,559 | $815 | $1,013 |
| Transfers-out: Supplemental | 1,000 | 0 | ||||||
| Net contribution to general fund | $5,073 | $1,506 | ($7,037) | ($910) | $1,735 | $1,559 | $815 | $1,013 |
| Ending Balance 06/30 | $16,747 | $18,253 | $11,216 | $10,305 | $12,041 | $13,600 | $14,415 | $15,427 |
| Reserve Requirement (29%) | $15,150 | $18,061 | $21,961 | $18,991 | $19,047 | $19,952 | $21,091 | $22,019 |
| Reserve % | 32.06% | 29.31% | 14.81% | 15.74% | 18.33% | 19.77% | 19.82% | 20.32% |
Key Takeaways - 2025-26 Budget
- Projected $2 million in combined construction savings and fund raising for Madras.
- $3.2 million unbudgeted receipt from Tax Credit in 2026.
- Tuition and fees projected lower by $982k.
- General Fund budget includes $1 million operating contingency.
- Redmond and Madras capital improvements and academic program expansion fully funded.
Financial estimates are based on budget projections and the best current information available.