Labor actions halted instruction at multiple institutions this week. Portland Community College closed its four campuses after classified staff and faculty unions began a large strike over pay and working conditions; most classes were suspended and campus operations disrupted. At New York University, roughly 950 full‑time, non‑tenure faculty walked out in a separate labor action seeking better pay and job protections. Both disputes highlight growing tensions between campus budgets and worker demands for compensation and protections. College leaders said they were attempting contingency plans to preserve core student services while bargaining continues. "Classified" refers to non‑instructional campus staff whose roles support operations and student services.