Bargaining Update: Three new agreements!

LCC Faculty Colleagues –

We had a productive bargaining session with the College and reached three new agreements.

  1. Insurance –

Moda Plan 1, Delta Dental 1, and Opal Vision will continue to be the “base plan” for College contributions. If these plans are no longer available in the future, the most comprehensive option available will become the base plan. Current insurance language protections for all faculty remain intact, including expansion of part-time faculty family insurance that had been agreed upon in the SB 551 and HB2611 MOAs. In addition, HSAs will be an option faculty may choose with College contributions to the HSA plan. We did ultimately accept the College’s proposal to remove reference to the Student (medical) Health Clinic, which is a permissive topic of bargaining, meaning we couldn’t refuse to accept the article contingent upon the inclusion of that sentence. Removal of this language has no bearing on the future viability of the clinic. To clarify, this is unrelated to the Mental Health and Wellness Center, which is a separate entity. (See Art. 33 attached.)

  1. Budget Exigency – 

We agreed to exceedingly strong protections for faculty that limit reopening the contract in the event of budget exigency, which could only occur if state funding and property tax revenue combined drop 5% or more. The new Art. 6 would limit negotiations in this case to unpaid furlough days for contracted faculty and reduced inservice hours for part-time faculty only. No other economic terms, including insurance, could be included in the negotiation. (See Art. 6 attached.)

  1. Transition to Canvas as the new LMS – 

Migrated course shells will be available in Canvas for faculty by April 29, and faculty will have up to 6 hours during Spring Conference for training and/or class prep with Canvas. Faculty will have 12 hours during Fall inservice for training and/or class prep with Canvas. For the Spring and Fall inservice time dedicated to Canvas training/ class prep, contracted faculty will be compensated as per normal pay for the days, and part-time faculty may use inservice hours for compensation. Both Canvas and Moodle will be available for faculty use in Summer 2026. Canvas will go into effect as the college-supported Learning Management System for all courses in Fall 2026. Faculty serving on the “Migration Committee” will be paid for 12 hours at their regular hourly rate. (See LMS MOA attached.)

We are heartened by the extraordinary response of union members; 91+% (and counting) have signed strike pledges, which did make an impact on our progress in negotiations today. 

While we have numerous critical faculty needs yet to address, including job security, workload, class sizes, compensation, and more, we are optimistic as we move forward into mediation, which is scheduled to begin next Thursday, February 19th.

Thank you to all for your engagement in strike schools, info pickets, rallies, and to the many faculty who came to observe bargaining today and to the Action Team, Department Reps, and student supporters!

Your LCCEA Bargaining Team Leads,

Adrienne Mitchell

April Myler

Gerry Meenaghan

Michael Marchman

Peggy Oberstaller

Russell Shitabata

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Update: Legal Letter Regarding Good Faith Bargaining

Esteemed LCC Faculty Colleagues,

Please see email to the Board of Education below and the legal memo attached. 

We are dismayed that the LCC Administration continues to effectively refuse to bargain over mandatory subjects (i.e., legally required topics for negotiations) such as ones of primary importance to faculty including job security and fundamental rights, many of which have no economic cost.

We remain hopeful that the Administration will change course and bargain in good faith.

In solidarity,

Adrienne 

Dear Board of Education Members,

Please find attached a letter from Jason Weyland, attorney for LCCEA, which has been provided to LCC’s attorney. The letter pertains to the need for LCC to bargain in good faith and addresses a large number of College assertions in bargaining that are inconsistent with the law regarding issues about which the LCC Administration has effectively refused to bargain.

In addition to being an accomplished labor attorney for 25 years, Jason also served for eight years as a judge on Oregon’s Employment Relations Board, which adjudicates public sector labor law in our state.

We believe it is of utmost importance that the College change course in order to not only bargain in good faith, but also to commit to real negotiation in earnest.

For the Association,

Adrienne

Adrienne Mitchell, M.A., M.Ed.

Faculty Member, Academic Learning Skills Department

President, Lane Community College Education Association

Vice President, Oregon Education Association Community College Council

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Bargaining, Not Mediation this Thursday

LCC Faculty Colleagues —

Due to a strike notice at a different public employer, the state mediator had to cancel our mediation session for this Thursday, February 12. Mediation will begin instead on Thursday, February 19.

In the meantime, we have agreed to meet with the LCC Administration 1 – 4 p.m. this Thursday, February 12 for a bargaining session in 19/220. This session is open to all faculty members to attend.

We are heartened by the exceedingly strong participation of faculty members in the strike schools and strike pledges, as well as the energizing student-led petition and informational picket happening now!

Your LCCEA Bargaining Leads,

Gerry Meenaghan

Adrienne Mitchell

April Myler

Peggy Oberstaller

Russell Shitabata

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Keep Calm and Be Union Strong!

  • Photo of LCCEA member outside of Board meeting
  • Photo of Support Students inflatable picketer

Photos by Russell Shitabata

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Solidarity and Support

Dear LCCEA Members,

We write today with heavy hearts not only to acknowledge the tragic loss of life in Minnesota — including the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti — but also to recognize the broader context in which these events are unfolding. The escalation of ICE and federal immigration enforcement under the current federal administration has not only led to deadly encounters with U.S. citizens in Minneapolis that have galvanized widespread protest and outrage, but has also amplified long-standing patterns of violence, harassment, and systemic harm experienced by immigrant communities and people of color across the country. This includes aggressive tactics, detentions, and abuses that disproportionately affect Black, Brown, and Indigenous families, fueling fear and trauma beyond the most publicized cases. Although words feel inadequate, it is essential that we stand together in our shared humanity and affirm the dignity of all those who have suffered under these policies.

As a union, solidarity must be expressed not only in words but in action. On behalf of our membership, LCCEA has made donations to the following organizations in Minnesota and Oregon, supporting impacted communities and local labor unions:

These contributions are offered in solidarity with the people of Minnesota and with our union siblings everywhere who are grieving, organizing, and caring for one another during this difficult and painful time.

We encourage you to look after yourselves and one another, and to reach out for support as needed. Our strength as a union lies in our collective commitment to dignity, justice, and care for working people.

We will continue to stand in solidarity with labor unions and communities in Minnesota and here in Oregon.

In solidarity and with appreciation for all you do,

LCCEA Officers,

Adrienne Mitchell, LCCEA President

April Myler, LCCEA Vice President At-Large

Gerry Meenaghan, LCCEA Vice President for Career Technical Faculty

Rosa Lopez, LCCEA Vice President for Learning Advancement

Peggy Oberstaller, LCCEA Vice President for Part-time Faculty

Don Easton, LCCEA Vice President for Transfer Faculty

Wendy Rawlinson, LCCEA Treasurer

Wendy Rose Aaron, LCCEA Interim Secretary

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