Portland Tribune
Organizations representing racial and ethnic minorities, who now constitute one of every five Oregonians, have outlined three main goals for the 2015 legislative session.
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Street Roots
First, let’s preface what we’re about to say with a commonly accepted generality: The economy is improving.
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Bend Bulletin
Advocates looking for ways to spread the economic recovery from businesses that are doing well to employees who aren’t gathered momentum as the 2015 legislative session approaches with the release of a new report this week and formation of a new group.
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The Oregonian
Public assistance to working Oregonians costs an estimated $1.7 billion annually, according to a new report on the impact of low-paying jobs.
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KLCC
Despite Oregon having the 2nd highest minimum wage in the nation, low-wage workers in the state are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet. That's the finding of a new report from the University of Oregon.
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Statesman Journal
Raising minimum wage portends more business
In her Dec. 17 letter, Jennifer Arends, a small business owner, says that raising the minimum wage to $15 portends uncertainty, and then says with utmost certainty that she will have to end all employee benefits and raise prices. She is certain the rise in prices will lead to losing customers and that losing customers means she will certainly have to fire some of her employees.
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Mail Tribune
The Fair Shot Oregon coalition has launched a campaign to advocate for a higher state minimum wage and paid sick days for all workers. The group of family, education, labor and women's groups is holding four campaign launch events across the state on Tuesday, including a 10 a.m. gathering at the Medford library, 205 S. Central Ave. Fair Shot Oregon advocates said workplace regulations are outdated and don't meet the needs of women and families. They have created a spoof video ad in which an 1800s aristocratic man pontificates about "a woman's place" as he follows a woman around while she works and cares for her family.
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Hillsboro Tribune
Supporters of a living wage, paid sick leave and equal pay were out in force across Oregon earlier week to kick off an advocacy campaign called Fair Shot Oregon. Campaign organizers hope to change what they say are outdated policies that are stopping women and working families from getting ahead. In Hillsboro, group members canvassed library goers at Shute Park with their message, with the help of “19th century man” to demonstrate that current rules surrounding living wages for families are outdated.
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OPB
A coalition of Portland organizations are campaigning to remove the question, “Have you ever been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor?” from job and housing applications. The AFL-CIO, the Urban League of Portland, and Oregon Action say a lack of job opportunities and stable housing are some of the main reasons formerly incarcerated people return to prison. Proponents say (pdf) removing the question about convictions will let applicants explain their background to employers and landlords at the interview stage, giving them a better shot at a more secure life after prison.
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NPR
Big box retailer Target said it will remove questions about prior arrests on its job applications, but many companies still ask. Host Michel Martin speaks with Madeline Neighly from the National Employment Law Project and Elizabeth Milito from the National Federation of Independent Businesses about the pros and cons of the practice.
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