In this report, LERC professor Gordon Lafer finds that one of the most critical factors that will determine the quality of EV manufacturing jobs is whether employees will have the right to organize labor unions without fear or intimidation….
This report highlights the growing visibility and vulnerability of food processing workers in rural Washington—primarily immigrants and people of color—who faced severe COVID-19 outbreaks due to crowded, high-risk working conditions. Workers also struggled to access public relief due to bureaucratic hurdles, misinformation and language barriers. …
This study by the Labor Education and Research Center (LERC) and the Illinois Economic Policy Institute highlights the positive effects of Oregon’s Prevailing Wage Rate law. The research shows that the law does not raise construction project costs, but it does enhance bid competition, increase the number of contracts awarded to local firms, and improve both wages and access to health insurance for workers…
States are tackling climate change through diverse strategies like renewable energy goals and climate action plans, emphasizing the need for collaboration among environmental advocates, policymakers, and labor groups. Organizations such as the BlueGreen Alliance are fostering connections between labor unions and climate initiatives to ensure support for policies that include job creation, worker organizing, and transition assistance….
This report finds that unions in Oregon raise wages, improve health and pension benefits, reduce overall income inequality, and significantly decrease racial and gender inequalities. Oregon unions also make it much less likely that workers will need to rely on public benefits such as food stamps or welfare….
The Care Revolution tells the inspiring story of the first wave of organizing by Oregon’s home care workers. Grounded in extensive interviews with workers, the film explains how union representation has transformed the lives of caregivers and improved the quality of care for the people they serve….