The faculty at Lane Community College (LCC) represented by the Lane Community College Education Association (LCCEA) are in the middle of one of the most contentious contract negotiations in their 50-year history. What began in March as routine bargaining has become, in the words of many, a “crisis of democracy.”
LCCEA represents roughly 500 faculty members. But according to LCCEA faculty member Adrienne Mitchell, the relationship between faculty and administration has sharply deteriorated since LCC President Stephanie Bulger took office three years ago.
“We’ve never seen anything like this before,” Mitchell said. “Under the current administration, we’ve had multiple unfair labor practices confirmed by the Employment Relations Board, including surveillance of union emails. It’s really extreme.”
A Crisis of Democracy
Mitchell described an escalating power struggle between LCC President Stephanie Bulger and the elected Board of Education. While Oregon law clearly grants the board authority over college governance, Bulger has blocked board members from adding items to meeting agendas, held meetings without public notice, and even shut down programs without board approval, actions that may violate Oregon’s public-governance statutes
“Essentially, they are literally having all of their authority stripped away,” Mitchell said. “That’s why we’re calling it a crisis of democracy.”
At least one board member has reportedly filed a complaint with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission, and another with the college’s accreditation agency, citing the president’s overreach.
Impact on Students
President Bulger’s agenda has extended beyond labor relations. Mitchell noted that the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) office was dismantled shortly after Bulger took office. This was well before President Trumps reelection and the mandates from his administration to remove DEI programs from universities.
President Bulger’s team also proposed increasing class sizes by 50%. But even more concerning, following the passing of legislation that would require the university to provide students with plan B, President Bulger pushed to close the collages health care clinic, removing student health care protections. These are actions that that directly harm both students and faculty.
Another major flashpoint came when President Bulger abruptly closed the Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program, a high-demand offering that many students relied on for career entry. “There were 37 applicants for 16 slots,” Mitchell said. “Students spent a year doing prerequisites and suddenly had nowhere to go. There is not other program like that in our community.”
The closing of the LPN Program was done with out LCC Board members knowledge or consent again showing President Bulgers disregard for the democratic process or the will of the citizens who elected the board.
In response, the LCCEA has made student protections a key bargaining demand, seeking contractual guarantees for mental-health support, counseling, and healthcare access.
“We’re bargaining for the common good,” Mitchell emphasized. “Our members voted 99% to support goals that benefit students and the broader community.”
A Troubled Bargaining Process
Union negotiations began in March, but the administration has since stalled talks for nearly a month, claiming unavailability. The union’s contract expired on June 30, and bargaining is now expected to continue through December 19 under Oregon’s public sector rules before likely moving into mediation
The college’s bargaining team is led not by internal leadership but by an outside attorney, Chris Duckworth, who is simultaneously negotiating contracts for multiple Oregon educational institutions. The college’s elected Board of Education, which is supposed to oversee these negotiations, has been barred by Mr. Duckworth from attending bargaining sessions, a first in LCC’s history.
“They actually argued to put that into the ground rules,” Mitchell explained. “The board members, who are elected by the people, aren’t even allowed to go to bargaining.” That is likely because the administration’s proposals, as describe by Mitchell, are “the worst in our 50-year history.”
These proposals including attacks on job security and constitutional rights for part-time faculty, so it is likely Mr. Duckworth and we assume President Bulger are eager to keep the board members in the dark regarding their bargaining tactics and proposals
Organizing for Accountability
To resist what they describe as authoritarian tactics, the union has ramped up organizing efforts. “Everything we’re doing is organizing,” Mitchell said. “We’re building internal structures, rallying members, and raising public awareness.”
The LCCEA has launched a petition to restore democracy at LCC, urging community members to stand with faculty and the elected board. The union plans a major rally on November 5 at 4:30 p.m., followed by public comment at the LCC Board of Education meeting.
Anyone may speak during public comment by signing up in advance or at the meeting. Students will be prioritized on the speakers’ list.
A Broader Labor Battle
What’s happening at Lane Community College, Mitchell warns, is part of a larger pattern in Oregon and beyond. “Administrations across the public sector are just stringing unions along, running out the clock, and pushing to mediation behind closed doors,” he said. “If they’re coming for job security here, they’re coming for it everywhere.”
From the Bigfoot Beverages strike to school-district negotiations across the state, workers in both public and private sectors are facing an emboldened wave of anti-union tactics. Many trace the roots to decades of corporate influence and court rulings like the 2018 Supreme Court Janus decision, which weakened union funding.
But Mitchell sees hope in solidarity. “We need massive coordination between public and private-sector workers,” he said. “Not just coordinated bargaining but a general strike.”
Moving Forward
Mitchell is optimistic about solidarity building. The LCCEA now has over 100 members in active organizing roles, with strong engagement among both full- and part-time faculty. Recent votes show 99% opposition to the administration’s proposals, signaling unity across the campus.
The Network encourages other unions and community organizations to show up for the rally on November 5th and show President Bulger that as the LCCEA prepares for mediation and the board wrestles with governance challenges, the broader labor community is watching closely. What happens at Lane may serve as a test case for how Oregon’s educators and public workers statewide confront efforts to erode democratic control and collective bargaining rights.
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