Month: April 2026

Barney Lerten

(Update: Union updates vote, new details of contract)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — More than 100 Central Oregon Community College classified workers “resoundingly” approved a new three-year contact Wednesday that includes raises of up to 28%, averting a first-ever strike that would have begun early Thursday, union leaders said.

The deal was reached in last-minute, mediated talks on a new contract, just hours before a possible first-ever walkout at COCC was to begin at 5 a.m. Thursday.

“COCC administrators have listened to reason and made the laudable choice to listen to the voices of their classified staff instead of fighting against living wages for college employees,” the union announced Wednesday afternoon.

Union representative Rachel Gompert told TVZ News on Thursday that “98% voted yes, with 91% of the entire membership activated and having participated within just several hours of calling it.”

COCC officials said the deal includes overall 15% in raises over the three-year agreement, costing the college $1.9 million.

If not averted, this would have been the second strike ever at an Oregon community college. At Portland Community College, a tentative agreement was reached Monday to end a nearly three-week strike by its faculty union, KGW reported.

Here is COCC’s news release on the agreement:

COCC and Classified Association Reach Tentative Agreement

Central Oregon Community College (COCC) and the Classified Association of COCC (CACOCC/OEA) have reached a tentative agreement on a new collective bargaining contract for 2025-2028, following ongoing negotiations. The tentative agreement is subject to ratification by union membership and approval by the COCC Board of Directors. 

“We are pleased to have reached a tentative agreement through continued dialogue and good-faith negotiations,” said Greg Pereira, COCC president. “This agreement reflects a shared commitment to supporting our employees while maintaining the College’s responsibility to students and the long-term health of the institution.” 

The agreement outlines a 3-year contract and includes a wage and step increase totaling approximately $1.9 million over a 3-year contract period, including additional benefits to Classified employees. The tentative agreement includes: 

Compensation: A 6% wage increase in the first year, 4.5% increase in the second and 4.5% increase in the third year of the contract 

Benefits: The agreement also includes a change to tiered insurance rates for the classified bargaining members. This allows savings to these employees and the College. 

Negotiations between the College and the union have been ongoing for more than a year under Oregon’s public collective bargaining framework, with recent mediation sessions helping both parties move toward resolution.   

“We appreciate the time, effort and collaboration from all involved in reaching this tentative agreement,” said Erica Skatvold, chair of the COCC Board of Directors. “Our focus throughout this process has been to support our employees while ensuring we remain financially sustainable and able to serve our students and community. We are grateful to have the opportunity to bring this to closure.” 

CACOCC members are reviewing the tentative agreement the afternoon of April 1 and will be voting this evening. If ratified by CACOCC, and approved by the COCC Board of Directors, the agreement will take effect as of July 1, 2025 and continue through June 30, 2028. 

COCC will continue to share updates as the ratification process moves forward at: https://cocc.edu/negotiations. 

Here is the updated news release from the union, issued late Wednesday night:

BREAKING: TENTATIVE AGREEMENT APPROVED BY CLASSIFIED ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL OREGON COMMUNITY COLLEGE MEMBERS

New Agreement Raises Wages for COCC’s Lowest Paid Staff up to 28%

Bend, OR – The second-ever community college strike in Oregon was averted with only hours to spare this evening, when classified staff at Central Oregon Community College resoundingly ratified a transformative agreement that will transform lives by raising wages for the lowest paid employees at COCC by as much as 28% over the life of a three year contract. 

Strike seemed inevitable early this morning, the final day before tomorrow morning’s 5am strike deadline. After fourteen months of prolonged negotiations, COCC board and president appeared unmoved.

After community members began actively calling on Board members to intervene in recent days to avert a strike, and extensive public communication about the union’s willingness and intent to remain out 2-3 months if necessary to secure an agreement, COCC accepted the union’s most recent proposal from this morning, reaching TA that with ratification will now avert strike.

Emergency voting was opened immediately following membership meetings taking questions and sharing full contents of the TA, and with 91% of the entire membership participating in the snap vote over just several hours, the agreement was ratified nearly unanimously. 

CACOCC members are applauding the new agreement, the solidarity of their community, and the support of their colleagues and union siblings in achieving the victory.  

These pay increases include a Cost of Living Adjustment of 6% year one, 4.5% year two, and 4.5% in year three, and three bottom step deletions over three years. With step advancement and compounding, this means an average raise of 22.8% for workers over the life of this contract and raises up to 28% for the lowest paid ones.

The agreement also includes 95% employer-paid insurance (up from 90%) while nonetheless saving the employer money. Union negotiators found these extraordinary win-win savings through careful attention to OEBB payment options given to employers. The savings keep all plan options unchanged and yet will reduce premiums for members by hundreds of dollars a month. For the lowest paid employees, these insurance savings act as a 5% additional increase to their effective wages each year.

CACOCC members were set to walk out on strike tomorrow, April 2, at 5 am. Instead, they will return to work in jubilation, for the change they, with the support of their colleagues and students, were able to win. 

“Thank you to every student, faculty member, and community member who has rallied with us, spoke up on our behalf at Board meetings, and refused to back down even when we were just hours from our strike deadline,” said Scott Dove, an academic technology specialist at COCC and President of the Classified Association of Central Oregon Community College. 

“When this college told us we didn’t deserve better, you told us we did, and to not stop standing up for it. The past six months we have all done things we never did together, including the first-ever joint rally between faculty and classified staff at COCC, as COCC faculty enter their own negotiations.

“As we celebrate the transformative changes to day-to-day life this contract will give, we prepare next to rally as our union siblings in the Central Oregon Community College Faculty Forum continue their own negotiations. We will not forget the outpouring of solidarity we received, and will be there to repay it in full to our friends in COCCFF going forward.”

“It still hasn’t set in for me yet that after fourteen months of fighting so hard, we finally did it,” said Liz Patterson, data specialist at COCC and Lead Negotiator for CACOCC. “For months we’ve been building our union community while bargaining our expired contract. Our members have pulled together, shared stories, found solidarity and pride.

“Thank you to every classified member at COCC who trusted the team to bring home something we can all be proud of. To the half a dozen community college unions now entering their own contract negotiations across Oregon, as well as to classified staff in Klamath Falls City Schools who are in the fight of their lives against poverty pay, we say this: PCC did it, we did it, so will you. Our communities will stand with us when our fights are just, and every classified staff person who works in higher education in Oregon deserves a dignified living wage.”

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CACOCC represents dedicated college employees who touch the lives of thousands of COCC students every year. CACOCC members perform essential work at COCC as student aid specialists, student veteran’s services specialists, student enrollment specialists, administrative assistants, laboratory specialists, IT professionals, custodial staff, grounds crews and more. They are united in their refusal to accept any agreement that keeps CACOCC members regularly experiencing hunger, food insecurity, homelessness, and poverty. Learn more and stay up to date in real time at: www.Instagram.com/CACOCCunited. 

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Harley Coldiron

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Partners for Affordable Housing and Bend YIMBY will host an all-coalition meeting on April 2 in Bend to discuss housing development strategies and prepare for an upcoming candidate forum. The meeting will take place at 4 p.m. at The Barrel Room at UPP Liquids, located at 550 SW Industrial Way.

The event features a presentation by Mayor Kebler and City of Bend housing staff on local efforts to enable housing development. The coalition, which includes the local chapter of the nonprofit YIMBY Action, aims to address the regional housing crisis by advocating for increased housing supply across Central Oregon.

The meeting agenda begins at 4 p.m. with updates and the development of questions for the Deschutes County Commission Candidate Forum. Following the planning session, Mayor Kebler and City of Bend housing staff will give a presentation from 5 to 6 p.m. regarding city approaches to housing development. The session will include a question-and-answer period for attendees.

A social hour will conclude the event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Barrel Room. Organizers noted that while appetizers will be provided, drinks will be available for purchase.

Partners for Affordable Housing was founded in 2010 as a nonprofit originally called Building Partners for Affordable Housing. It was established by members of the Central Oregon Builders Association, who worked to fund projects by securing land parcels at discounted prices for affordable housing builders.

The coalition has since expanded its membership to include large employers, unions, economic development organizations and civic groups. These organizations work together to support elected leaders in efforts to increase housing supply and reduce costs.

Central Oregon YIMBY, which stands for “Yes In My Back Yard,” is a chapter of the national 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization YIMBY Action. The group advocates for a variety of housing options beyond single-family homes, including condos, cottage clusters, apartments, micro-units and multi-unit plexes.

The questions developed during the meeting will be used for the Deschutes County Commission Candidate Forum scheduled for April 30.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon announced Wednesday it has been named a 2025 Pinnacle Award winner for program excellence by the organization’s national leadership.

The local agency is one of only five organizations chosen for the honor out of more than 230 agencies across the United States.

The Pinnacle Award is the highest honor given by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. It recognizes agencies that have met “Platinum Award” requirements for two or more consecutive years, demonstrating high rates of retention for both mentors and youth while maintaining consistent program growth.

The national leadership council, comprised of local agency leaders and board members, selects the winners annually.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon, a 21 Cares for Kids partner, operates as a program of J Bar J Youth Services.

In the past year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon provided services to 223 youth. The program focuses on creating one-to-one relationships to improve self-confidence and emotional well-being among participants.

Jenn Davis serves as the program director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon. She emphasized that the award represents the work of multiple groups within the region.

“This award is a testament to the long-term commitment and collective effort of our entire community,” Davis said. “Sustaining excellence in mentorship year after year is no small feat and it reflects the dedication of our staff, Advisory Council and volunteers. Our focus remains on expanding opportunities for young people and ensuring mentorship continues to transform lives. We are honored to be recognized for our impact and remain committed to building a stronger future for the youth we serve.”

The national organization includes more than 230 local agencies serving 5,000 communities.

Artis Stevens, the president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, said,. “Achieving lasting excellence in mentorship requires foresight, commitment and a steadfast dedication to the young people we serve.”

“Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon hasn’t just raised the bar for impact and growth — they’ve maintained that standard consistently, year after year. Their continued achievements speak to the power of mentorship’s ability to transform lives and a tireless pursuit of better futures for the young people in their care.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon was founded in 1994. As a program of J Bar J Youth Services, it specifically targets at-risk youth and those facing adversity in the local community.

The national organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, was established in 1904. It is currently the largest youth mentoring organization in the country and utilizes an evidence-based approach to improve educational success and help youth avoid risky behaviors.

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Harley Coldiron

DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Mt. Bachelor received 6 inches of snow over the past week, with forecasts calling for up to 7-10 inches of additional accumulation by Thursday afternoon. Our Chief Meteorologist John Carroll is tracking a Winter Weather Warning and has enacted two Local Alert Weather Days for the impactful snowfall ahead. He warns that travel trouble and mountain passes could be an issue.

The resort is hosting a series of events from April 2 through April 5, including a professional snowboarding competition, a passholder party and an Easter egg hunt.

Heavy snowfall is expected to continue through Thursday evening before clear skies and warmer temperatures return for the weekend. The scheduled activities include an appearance by professional snowboarder Danny Davis and a five-course Moonlight Dinner at Pine Marten Lodge.

Mountain reports from Thursday morning indicated the resort received two inches of fresh snow overnight, with light snowfall continuing during early operations. Resort officials forecast heavy snowfall to bring an additional five to 10 inches throughout the day on Thursday. Base area temperatures at West Village were recorded at 30 degrees, with on-hill temperatures expected to remain in the upper 20s.

A second wave of heavy snow is forecast for Thursday evening, which is expected to bring seven to 10 inches of accumulation by Friday morning. Moderate to strong winds and hazy conditions are expected to persist through the end of the day Thursday. Mountain staff advised visitors to use low-light lenses and equipment for clearing goggles during these conditions.

The week’s scheduled festivities begin with the April Passholder Party on Thursday at On Tap Bend from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Resort leadership will be in attendance to meet with the community and distribute prizes. The first 200 passholders who present a 25/26 Outplay 365, Alpine Full Season or Midweek pass will receive a free drink.

Professional snowboarder Davis is scheduled to return to the mountain on Friday for the Party in the Peace Park. The event, presented by Mountain Dew, runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and offers up to $3,000 in cash prizes and merchandise from Skullcandy and Woodward Peace Park. An after-party featuring live music and food will follow on the West Village Deck from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday evening features a Moonlight Dinner at Pine Marten Lodge for $149 per guest. The experience includes a twilight chairlift ride and a five-course prix fixe dinner with wine pairings from Bledsoe Wine Estate. The evening concludes with a guided moonlight ski or snowboard descent down the freshly groomed Olympian run.

The Snake-Run Rally, a grassroots banked slalom snowboard competition, will take place Saturday in the Skyliner area. Although registration for the event is currently closed, the resort is offering “Early Ups” at 8 a.m. for Outplay 365 and Full Season passholders, provided weather and conditions allow for early operations.

The week of events concludes Sunday with the Nordic Easter Egg Hunt from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Nordic Center. Participants must be on skis or in a pulled chariot to search for hidden treats and 50 YETI mugs along the beginner trails. All participants are required to have a valid trail or season pass.

Sunshine and warmer temperatures are forecast to return to the area on Friday and continue through the weekend. Mountain operations will update the weather and conditions report as the storm system moves through the region.

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Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon’s unemployment rate was 5.2% in January and 5.3%, as revised, in December, the Oregon Employment Department reported Wednsday.

That’s higher than the U.S. unemployment rate, which was 4.3% in January and 4.4% in December.

Here’s the full report from the agency on where jobs were gained or lost as 2026 began:

In January, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted non-farm payroll employment rose by 2,000 jobs, following a gain of 100 jobs, as revised, in December.

January’s gains were largest in leisure and hospitality (+1,800 jobs); health care and social assistance (+1,500); and construction (+1,000). Losses were largest in manufacturing (-1,500 jobs) and professional and business services (-1,300).

Leisure and hospitality performed better than the normal seasonal pattern in January and employed 209,800, which was 1,800 jobs, or 0.9%, above its January 2025 total. Despite these recent gains, it employed only slightly more workers than during most of the past few years.

Health care and social assistance rose by 4,100 jobs during the three months ending in January. During the 12 months ending in January, it added 9,800 jobs, or 3.2%, which was by far the fastest growth rate of Oregon’s major industries during that time.

Construction’s 1,000-job gain in January was a partial rebound from its 2,400-job loss the prior month. Over the past two years, construction generally declined from a high of about 118,000 jobs throughout much of 2023, to its January 2026 level of 111,600 jobs.

Manufacturing cut 1,500 jobs in January, following a gain of 1,300 in December. Since August, manufacturing has fluctuated around 178,000 jobs. Prior to this period of relative stability, manufacturing shrank rapidly from a recent high of 195,000 jobs in November 2022.

The 1,300-job decline in professional and business services in January left the industry 7,600 jobs, or 2.9%, below its year-ago total, and 17,000 jobs below its peak of 268,100 jobs in 2023.

Next Press Releases

The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the January county and metropolitan area unemployment and jobs data on Tuesday, April 7, and the next statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for February on Wednesday, April 15. 

About Workforce and Economic Research

The Workforce and Economic Research Division of the Oregon Employment Department develops and distributes quality economic and workforce information to help Oregonians make informed decisions and support a thriving economy. Staff collect data from state and federal records and surveys; analyze the available information; and share insights with the public in a variety of ways, including regular reports, publications, and the website, QualityInfo.org.

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