In an earlier era, a vibrant labor movement nurtured a broad middle. But half-a-century ago, under severe attack from corporations,
Worker Power
The power of organized labor has brought us weekends, sick leave, and the minimum wage. However, worker power has decreased during decades of attacks by corporate interests and neglect by the federal government. Increasing the strength of workers is vital to making the economy work for everyone.
Worker Power
The power of organized labor has brought us weekends, sick leave, and the minimum wage. However, worker power has decreased during decades of attacks by corporate interests and neglect by the federal government. Increasing the strength of workers is vital to making the economy work for everyone.
Latest Articles
My name is Janet Bauer, Director of Policy Research at the Oregon Center for Public Policy. I respectfully submit this
A little over a year ago, when much of the economy remained shut due to the Covid pandemic, the U.S.
Many workers have had enough with poor quality jobs. A record number of workers quit their jobs this past August,
In the latest episode of Policy for the People, we explore the problem of poor quality jobs — jobs that
On the eve of the pandemic, at a time when Oregon enjoyed one of the strongest job markets on record,
Executive summary On the eve of the pandemic, a time when the nation was experiencing the longest economic boom on
Undocumented workers in Oregon are more likely than not to perform work considered essential during the pandemic, yet they have
The recession triggered by the COVID-19 crisis has hammered Oregon’s undocumented workers — workers who more likely than not perform
Latest Podcasts

Senator Wyden on the Trump tax plan: “It’s going to cause a lot of hardship”
The Trump tax plan would cut Medicaid and nutrition assistance to pay for big tax cuts for the rich.
April 10, 2025

How to improve pay and working conditions in entire industries in one fell swoop
The revival of an old idea is offering hope for improving pay and working conditions in entire industries all at
March 13, 2025

Two things that are making tax filing easy and free for Oregonians
In this episode of Policy for the People, we discuss two initiatives that are making tax filing easy and free.
February 13, 2025
A new dawn for Oregon’s labor movement?
Years from now, we may look back at 2022 as the year when the labor movement began its resurgence, ushering