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Contact: Rose King, 503-863-1363, Rose@brinkcomm.com
Racial justice, labor and community organizations unite around a bold 2017 legislative agenda to promote secure employment, accessible health care, affordable housing and safe communities
(Portland, Ore.) – With racist incidents on the rise in Oregon and throughout the country since Election Day, a broad coalition of racial, gender justice, labor and community groups from across the state gathered to unveil a bold legislative agenda to protect human and civil rights in Oregon. More than fifty organizations endorsed the agenda and vowed to protect every single Oregonian, including immigrants and refugees, women, people of color, LGBT communities and working families.
“Let me be clear: we’ve made hard-earned gains here in Oregon and we aren’t about to back down. We will never stop fighting to protect our families, our communities, our children and our state,” said Kathy Wai, Civic Engagement Manager for Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon.
The event was held at Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church and comes just weeks after Governor Kate Brown’s pledge to protect the human and civil rights of all Oregonians.
The Oregon Health Equity Alliance (OHEA) and Fair Shot unveiled a shared 2017 legislative agenda, aimed at ensuring every Oregonian has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of racial background, gender, language or where they are from.
“Our agenda is bold, tackling an intersection of issues that move us closer to justice and economic opportunity for all,” said Ramon Ramirez, President of Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste. “Inequality is embedded in the public and private institutions that shape our lives. From employment to health, housing and safety, together we will tear down barriers that make it difficult for Oregonians to get ahead.”
The agenda creates a clear path to advance racial, gender and economic justice in Oregon and includes:
- Cover All Kids: Puts every child on a pathway to success by extending the Oregon Health Plan to all children in Oregon.
- End Profiling: Builds on Oregon’s 2015 ban on police profiling by creating the structure to effectively identify, record and correct any profiling practices by Oregon law enforcement agencies.
- Secure Homes For All: Helps working families maintain housing stability and curb homelessness by protecting tenants from losing their homes through no fault of their own.
- Paid Family and Medical Leave: Ensures Oregonians can take time away from work—to welcome a new child, take care of a seriously ill family member, care for someone they love at the end of their life, or recover from a serious illness or injury—without losing the income their family relies on.
- Reproductive Health Equity: Prevents Oregonians from facing significant health and economic challenges by ensuring affordable access to the full range of reproductive health services for all.
“We’re standing strong to say that hate and discrimination have no place here, ” said Tom Chamberlain, President of Oregon AFL-CIO. “At the same time, we must build an Oregon where all families and working people have what we need to keep ourselves and our families safe and prosperous: access to critical health services, stable housing, and safe communities free from discrimination and violence. Our civil and economic rights need to be upheld every step of the way.”
Chamberlain noted that to truly create real opportunities for every Oregonian, the coalition must address long-standing inequalities that are deeply ingrained in our social and political institutions. Research shows that 1 in 7 Oregonians is living in poverty, with Oregonians of color twice as likely to live in poverty than their white counterparts. The average income of the typical white household was $51,972 in 2013, exceeding the incomes of the typical Latino, Pacific Islander, African-American and Native American households by about $13,000 or more. In addition, unemployment rate for black Oregonians in 2014 was 13.6 percent—twice the white rate of 6.8 percent—and the unemployment rates for Latinos was 9.6 percent.
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Contact: Russell Sanders, (503) 232 – 1195 ext. 314, russell@oraflcio.org
Over 100,000 Oregonians will be impacted on Friday
(PORTLAND, OR) On Friday, July 1, over 100,000 Oregonians earning minimum wage will receive a raise. Within Portland’s urban growth boundary and in urban counties, wages will increase from $9.25 per hour to $9.75. In nonurban counties, the minimum wage will increase from $9.25 to $9.50. From minimum wage earners to small business owners, Oregonians are applauding the first increase as a strong step forward for our state.
Small business owner and Main Street Alliance member Shaun Sieren of the O'Neil Public House in Northeast Portland sees the increase as a way to give local economies a boost:
“The minimum wage increase on July 1t is a good thing, for my business, our customers, and the entire community,” said Sieren. “When folks who earn minimum wage get a raise, it helps everyone. It puts more money in the pockets of working people, and that money gets spent at local businesses and on local goods and services. It’s simple: raising wages makes our local economy stronger.”
For Kasil Kapriel, who earns minimum wage working at Portland International Airport, the increase on July 1t is a step forward, and a promise of hope for something more:
“The minimum wage increase will make a difference for me and my family,” said Kapriel. “It is a great step, but only the first step. There is more we can do to make sure working families have a shot at a better life. I look forward to continuing to stand with my fellow airport workers, and people across our community in standing up for good jobs, with a living wage, and affordable care. We’ll continue to do whatever it takes for all working families to have a shot at a better life.”
Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain explains how raising the minimum wage is just one part of a solution to a crisis facing working people in Oregon:
“In the past six years, the number of people moving to Oregon has increased by 10% while much of our state’s job growth is happening in the low wage sectors of the economy. Combine that trend with housing costs skyrocketing and we have a problem,” said Chamberlain. “Solving that problem requires a multifaceted approach, and raising wages is central to that approach. We can’t expect Oregon to grow, to prosper, unless working people can afford the basics like housing, groceries, childcare, and transportation. The raise on July 1 is the first step in the right direction for working people in Oregon.”
Business owners and workers who are interested in learning about their minimum wage region and the schedule of raises can visit Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries website to see information about the increase. Raising the minimum wage was part of the Fair Shot for All Coalition's 2015-16 Legislative Agenda.
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The Fair Shot For All Coalition is a broad coalition of community, health service, and labor organizations from across Oregon that are pushing for real policy solutions that address economic inequality. We are working together to advance an agenda that creates opportunities for working families to thrive, and that resolves historic and systemic economic inequities for people of color, LGBTQ people, immigrants and women. We envision an Oregon that provides equal access to economic opportunity for all and not just a privileged few.
In the 2015-16 legislative sessions, we helped win big victories for Oregonians including raising the minimum wage, passing paid sick leave, ensuring that everyone has a secure path to save for retirement, reducing barriers to employment by banning the criminal background box from job applications, and banning profiling by law enforcement.
We are now accepting proposals for the 2017-2018 Legislative Agenda. In order to be considered for placement on the 2017-18 Legislative Agenda, campaigns must meet the following criteria:
- advance racial, gender, and economic justice and meet the values listed in our Guiding Principles document
- be an existing campaign with a credible path to success
- commitment to organizing around the Fair Shot message framework in the campaign and clear goals around building power for Fair Shot
- be willing to share, welcome and incorporate feedback, and intensively collaborate on a written campaign plan with the Executive Committee and in some cases other Steering Committee members, and continue to collaborate frequently throughout the campaign
- be the primary, short-term focus of the lead organization and/or have a significant portion of the organization’s resources dedicated to the campaign
- be led by a Steering Committee Member or an organization that is willing to join the Steering Committee and adopt the entire agenda. Campaigns must be led by an organization, not an individual or coalition. In order to join the Steering Committee an organization must be a permanent organization that is grounded in organizing; share our values listed in the Guiding Principles; and be committed to building our movement.
Campaigns selected for the 2017-18 Legislative Agenda are eligible to receive resources from the coalition including professional communication and strategic consulting services and financial contributions. Just as important, campaigns will be made an organizing and lobbying priority for Fair Shot members.
How to Submit Proposals:
Written proposals are due June 27th. Please send proposals to Coalition Director, Heather Stuart at Heather@FairShotOregon.org. Selected proposals will be presented to the Steering Committee on July 12th and 13th and voted on by the Steering Committee later in July.
Written proposals should be no more than three pages and include the following information:
- sponsor/lead organizations;
- other coalition members and/or endorsing organizations;
- short description of the policy and how it fits into the economic justice and Fair Shot framework;
- description of impacted populations and the extent of the impact;
- estimated state budget impact;
- summarized history of the campaign, champions, opponents, obstacles, opportunities, and best guess of what it will take to win;
- anticipated and/or existing campaign roles and needs (i.e. campaign manager, communications, lobbyist, etc); and
- the support you’d like from the Fair Shot coalition.
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Contact: Heather Stuart, 360-521-6255, heather@fairshotoregon.org
Passed by the Senate today, HB 4003 helps make neighborhoods safer and communities stronger
(Salem, Ore.)—The Oregon Senate today passed House Bill 4003, by a vote of 27 to 0. The legislation—co-sponsored by Speaker Tina Kotek of Portland, Representative Jennifer Williamson of Portland and Representative Joe Gallegos of Hillsboro—extends the “Work Group on the Prevention of Profiling by Law Enforcement,” which was established by the legislature in 2015 to help build a system to identify, record, and correct profiling by Oregon law enforcement agencies. HB 4003 now heads to Governor Kate Brown, who is expected to sign the bill.
“I’m proud that the legislature passed this bill, taking the next steps to stop the harmful practice of profiling,” said Speaker Kotek. “We made significant progress in 2015, but in order to strengthen public trust in local law enforcement, we need to keep working and get the details right.”
In 2015, Oregon joined more than 40 states in defining and banning the harmful practice of police profiling. The 2015 bill, HB 2002, established a system for reporting complaints; created a plan for collecting and sharing data; required local law enforcement agencies to adopt written policies prohibiting profiling; and created the Work Group on the Prevention of Profiling by Law Enforcement, tasked with developing a process for identifying and correcting patterns and practices of profiling.
Following the passage of HB 2002, Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and work group members held several listening sessions around the state. Residents came forward to share the emotional, psychological, physical and financial trauma they experienced as a result of profiling happening in their communities. Together, the work group released a report outlining recommendations to prevent and respond appropriately to profiling by law enforcement. Attorney General Rosenblum and Kayse Jama, Executive Director of CIO and Fair Shot For All coalition member, presented key findings to the Oregon House Judiciary Committee last month during a hearing on the bill.
“I thank the Oregon Legislature for their commitment to this issue and look forward to continuing the work to ensure that everyone is treated fairly by law enforcement. I’m hopeful that together, we can restore partnership and trust in our community, heal families and individuals, and make Oregon a leader in giving all members of our community equity and justice,” said Jama. “This bill gets us further down the path to fair policing.”
HB 4003 directs the Attorney General and the Work Group on the Prevention of Profiling by Law Enforcement to continue meeting and to issue a report with recommendations for legislation by December 1, 2016.
The legislation is one of three issues that Fair Shot For All—a coalition of more than 30 community groups, labor unions and racial justice organizations in Oregon—prioritized for the February session. It’s also a top priority for the Center for Intercultural Organizing (CIO), which has been leading the fight to end profiling in Oregon.
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Contact:
Heather Stuart, Heather@FairShotOregon.org
Salem, Ore. – Following today’s vote to approve an increase in Oregon’s minimum wage by the Oregon House of Representatives, Andrea Paluso issued the following statement on behalf of the Fair Shot for All coalition:
“In 2014, more than 20 community, healthcare, service and labor groups from across the state came together to launch the Fair Shot for All coalition. We launched Fair Shot for All to give a voice to those who have been left behind in the political process, to turn the discussion of racial and economic inequality into action – and to win. Raising the minimum wage was the only Fair Shot agenda item that didn’t pass in 2015, but we came into this session committed to securing a raise in 2016. While our work to fix Oregon’s broken economy is far from over, today’s vote by the House marks a significant victory for the hardworking men and women we have been fighting for.”
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As strong advocates to stop wage theft, the Fair Shot For All Coalition started this legislative session with a short agenda that included a bill intended to make it more difficult for companies to get away with cheating workers out of pay, Senate Bill 1587. However, a key provision of the bill was removed that would have allowed workers to reclaim their stolen wages and sue for damages through private legal action when the employer repeatedly refuses to comply with the statute and other means to seek justice fail.
While Senate Bill 1587 is a first step toward protecting workers from wage theft, the reality is that it’s going to take more to fix what’s broken with our system. The barriers for workers to reclaim their stolen wages remain despite this bill.
The Fair Shot For All Coalition is neutral on SB 1587 but remains committed to this issue. We will come back with legislation in 2017 that prevents workers from being robbed of their hard earned pay and holds intentional and excessive violators accountable for shortchanging workers. We are putting dishonest employers on notice: we won’t stop fighting until workers can be sure they will be paid what they’re owed.
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Contact: Rose King, rose@brinkcomm.com, 503.863.1363
HB 4003 builds on the work to prevent profiling by law enforcement, next step in fight to change culture of policing
(Salem, Ore.)—The Oregon House today passed House Bill 4003, sending the bill to the Oregon Senate for approval. The legislation—co-sponsored by Speaker Tina Kotek of Portland, Representative Jennifer Williamson of Portland and Representative Joe Gallegos of Hillsboro—extends the “Work Group on the Prevention of Profiling by Law Enforcement,” which was established by the legislature in 2015 to help build a system to identify, record, and correct profiling by Oregon law enforcement agencies. The bill passed the House unanimously.
“The approach is an example of what works and what we need to encourage. In 2015 we passed HB 2002, which defined profiling in the state and called for the work group to study the issues surrounding profiling and provide recommendations to the chamber by December 1st...I would encourage you to allow this group to continue to work and to come back with some good information for us so that we can in fact do something to make sure all people who live in the state of Oregon are treated fairly,” Representative Lew Frederick said Friday on the House floor.
Eighty-five percent of Oregonians believe that law enforcement should not be allowed to profile. Yet every day, people are targeted based on their race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, language, housing status, sexual orientation or gender identity. In a national 2014 survey, 73 percent of all LGBT people and people living with HIV reported having face-to-face contact with police during the past five years. African Americans are five times more likely to be pulled over in a vehicle, even though Caucasians are three times more likely to have contraband.
In 2015, Oregon joined more than 40 states in defining and banning the harmful practice of police profiling. The 2015 bill, HB 2002, established a system for reporting complaints; created a plan for collecting and sharing data; required local law enforcement agencies to adopt written policies prohibiting profiling; and created the Work Group on the Prevention of Profiling by Law Enforcement, tasked with developing a process for identifying and correcting patterns and practices of profiling.
“As a work group member, I listened to communities share their experiences with profiling,” said Kayse Jama, Executive Director of CIO and Fair Shot For All coalition member. “Profiling inevitably breeds distrust in law enforcement, which in turn undermines the safety of all Oregonians. Change isn’t going to happen overnight. I commend the house supporting the next steps in this incredibly important work.”
Following the passage of HB 2002, Attorney General Rosenblum and work group members held several listening sessions around the state. Residents came forward to share the emotional, psychological, physical and financial trauma they experienced as a result of profiling happening in their communities. Together, the work group released a report outlining recommendations to prevent and respond appropriately to profiling by law enforcement.
HB 4003 directs the Attorney General and the Work Group on the Prevention of Profiling by Law Enforcement to continue meeting and to issue a report with recommendations for legislation by December 1, 2016.
The bill now awaits further consideration in the Senate.
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Contact: Rose King, 503-863-¬1363, Rose@brinkcomm.com
House Bill 4003 builds on Oregon’s commitment to prevent profiling by law enforcement, making neighborhoods safer and communities stronger
(Salem, Ore.)—The House Judiciary Committee today passed House Bill 4003 by a unanimous vote. The proposed legislation—co-sponsored by Speaker Tina Kotek of Portland, Representative Jennifer Williamson of Portland and Representative Joe Gallegos of Hillsboro—extends the Work Group on the Prevention of Profiling by Law Enforcement to continue crafting a system to identify, record, and correct profiling by Oregon law enforcement agencies. It is now headed to the House floor.
“Our goal is to strengthen public trust in law enforcement,” Speaker Kotek said. “I’m proud that the legislature is on its way to pass this bill and take the next steps to stop the harmful practice of profiling.”
In 2015, Oregon joined more than 40 states in defining and banning the harmful practice of police profiling. That bill, HB 2002, established a system for reporting complaints; created a plan for collecting and sharing data; required local law enforcement agencies to adopt written policies prohibiting profiling; and created the Work Group on the Prevention of Profiling by Law Enforcement, tasked with developing a process for identifying and correcting patterns and practices of profiling.
Following the passage of HB 2002, Attorney General Rosenblum and work group members held several listening sessions around the state. Residents came forward to share the emotional, psychological, physical and financial trauma they experienced as a result of profiling happening in their communities. Together, the work group released a report outlining recommendations to prevent and respond appropriately to profiling by law enforcement.
“Oregon made strong progress last session by passing a law that bans profiling in Oregon, however, our work remains unfinished,” said Attorney General Rosenblum today. “Better data and increased transparency are needed to ensure that everyone is treated fairly by law enforcement.”
HB 4003 directs the Attorney General and the Work Group on the Prevention of Profiling by Law Enforcement to continue meeting and to issue a report with recommendations for legislation by December 1, 2016.
The bill is one of three issues that Fair Shot For All—a coalition of more than 30 community groups, labor unions and racial justice organizations in Oregon—has prioritized for the upcoming session. It’s also a top priority for the Center for Intercultural Organizing (CIO), which has been leading the fight to end profiling in Oregon.
“Profiling occurs in every part of our state, but we know that people in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color are targeted the most, leading to higher arrest and conviction rates for these communities,” said Kayse Jama, Executive Director of CIO and Fair Shot For All coalition member. “Even after passing HB 2002 last year, we don’t have a coordinated law enforcement system to address it. There’s much more to do to make sure all our communities are safe and free from profiling.”
Eighty-five percent of Oregonians believe that law enforcement should not be allowed to profile. Yet every day, people are targeted based on their race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, language, housing status, sexual orientation or gender identity. In a national 2014 survey, 73 percent of all LGBT people and people living with HIV reported having face-to-face contact with police during the past five years. African Americans are five times more likely to be pulled over in a vehicle, even though Caucasians are three times more likely to have contraband.
Text of the bill is available online:
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2016R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/HB4003/Introduced
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Contact: Rose King, 503-863-1363, Rose@brinkcomm.com
House Bill 4003 builds on the work to prevent profiling by law enforcement, making neighborhoods safer and communities stronger
(Salem, Ore.) – Today, legislation was introduced that builds on Oregon’s commitment to end profiling and change the culture of policing in our state.
HB 4003, sponsored by Speaker Tina Kotek (D – N/NE Portland), extends the “Work Group on the Prevention of Profiling by Law Enforcement,” which was also established by the legislature in 2015 in order to craft a system to identify, record, and correct profiling by Oregon law enforcement agencies.
“I’m proud to sponsor HB 4003, continuing the effort to end profiling in Oregon,” said Speaker Kotek. “We made significant progress in 2015, but in order to strengthen public trust in local law enforcement, we need to keep working and get the details right.”
In 2015, Oregon took an important step forward by joining more than 40 states to define and ban the harmful practice of police profiling. The bill, HB 2002, established a system for reporting complaints; created a plan for collecting and sharing data; required local law enforcement agencies to adopt written policies prohibiting profiling; and created the Work Group on the Prevention of Profiling by Law Enforcement, tasked with developing a process for identifying and correcting patterns and practices of profiling.
Following the passage of HB 2002, Attorney General Rosenblum and work group members held listening sessions across the state. Residents came forward to share the emotional, psychological, physical and financial trauma they experienced as a result of profiling happening in their communities. Together, they released a report outlining recommendations to prevent and respond appropriately to profiling by law enforcement.
HB 4003, which will be considered in the legislative session that begins on February 1, directs the Attorney General and the Work Group on the Prevention of Profiling by Law Enforcement to continue meeting, and to issue a report with recommendations for legislation by December 1, 2016.
“I was profiled by police several years ago as I stood just steps away from my own front door, and this experience was both traumatizing and life changing,” said Quinton Blanton, a 25 year old who lives in Portland. “Every time I see a police car, my heart begins to race. My anxiety got so bad, I had to leave school.”
HB 4003 is one of three issues that Fair Shot For All—a coalition of more than 30 community groups, labor unions and racial justice organizations in Oregon—has prioritized for the upcoming session. It’s also a top priority for the Center for Intercultural Organizing (CIO), which has been leading the fight to end profiling in Oregon.
“Profiling occurs in every part of our state, but we know that people in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color are targeted the most, leading to higher arrest and conviction rates for these communities,” said Kayse Jama, Executive Director of CIO and Fair Shot For All coalition member. “Law enforcement is at its best when officers work together with communities to ensure public safety and promote the dignity of all people. We remain committed to lead the fight forward.”
Eighty-five percent of Oregonians believe that law enforcement should not be allowed to profile. Yet every day, people are targeted based on their race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, language, housing status, sexual orientation or gender identity. In a national 2014 survey, 73 percent of all LGBT people and people living with HIV reported having face-to-face contact with police during the past five years. African Americans are five times more likely to be pulled over in a vehicle, even though Caucasians are three times more likely to have contraband.
Text of the bill is available online:
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2016R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/HB4003/Introduced
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Contact: Rose King, 503-863-1363, Rose@brinkcomm.com
Senate Bill 1587 aims to stop dishonest employers, help collect back wages for workers cheated out of pay
(Salem, Ore.) – Today, legislation that would make it more difficult for companies to get away with cheating workers out of their pay was among the first bills to be introduced in the 2016 Oregon Legislative Session. Senate Bill 1587—sponsored by Senator Michael Dembrow—now awaits a hearing. The bill is one of three issues that Fair Shot For All, a coalition of more than 30 community groups, labor unions and racial justice organizations in Oregon, has prioritized for the upcoming session. The others include ending profiling and raising the minimum wage.
“The challenges working Oregonians face in caring for and supporting their families are magnified when they can’t even rely on the wages they’ve rightfully and fairly earned,” said Senator Dembrow. “Wage theft hurts Oregonian families, and it hurts our economy,”
“For decades, workers have seen their wages unfairly withheld by some unethical employers, and they have had little legal recourse,” said Senator Ginny Burdick “This legislation works to change that, sending a strong message to intentional and excessive violators that they will be held accountable for shortchanging workers.”
Oregon law doesn’t always protect the workers who experience wage theft, which occurs when employers do any of the following: pay less than minimum wage; do not pay overtime; deny meal and break periods; pay for fewer hours than an employee has worked; or simply don’t pay at all.
“Unfortunately, I know all too well what it means to be cheated,” said Darrin Boyce, a sheet metal worker from Portland who has been a victim of wage theft more than once in his career. “It’s happened to me and it’s happened to my friends. We have families to support. When my employer doesn’t pay me for all my time, we are left struggling to get by.”
For a worker earning minimum wage, being denied just half an hour’s worth of wages each day adds up to a loss of more than $1,400 a year. For families struggling to get by, that can be the difference between paying rent on time and facing eviction.
“It’s time to stop workplace abuses that leave Oregonians and their families shortchanged and struggling to make ends meet,” said Tom Chamberlain, President of Oregon AFL-CIO and member of Fair Chance For All. “When Oregonians don’t receive the wages that they’ve rightfully earned, those devastating effects ripple not only throughout workers’ families, but throughout our communities.”
Wage theft happens to workers in all industries. From retail, restaurants, and grocery stores, to domestic work, construction and personal services—Oregon workers report an average of $4.7 million every year in stolen wages. Many more don’t report violations out of fear of retaliation. Women, people of color, immigrants, and low-wage workers are more vulnerable to wage theft.
Even when workers go through the difficult process of winning a wage theft claim, many can’t recover the money they are owed. Between 2010-2013, BOLI ruled on 3,303 claims of stolen wages totaling $6.2 million. However, of those claims, employers only paid 28 percent of stolen wages back to workers.
Senate Bill 1587 will:
- Give workers additional tools to expose employer wrongdoing,
- Reduce the barriers that prevent workers from getting help and recovering the wages they are owed, and
- Help build a foundation for comprehensive wage theft reform in 2017
Text of the bill is available online:
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2016R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/SB1587/Introduced
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Contact: Rose King, 503-863-1363, Rose@brinkcomm.com
Proposed legislation aims to stop dishonest employers, help collect back wages for workers cheated out of pay
(Salem, Ore.)—The Senate Committee on Workforce today held a public hearing on proposed legislation that would make it more difficult for companies to get away with cheating workers. The bill is backed by Fair Shot For All, a coalition of more than 30 community groups, labor unions and racial justice organizations in Oregon.
“Wage theft happens every day in Oregon. Stealing hard-earned wages is a crime that hurts workers and their families along with all the responsible business owners who can’t compete with violators who don’t pay workers,” said D. Michael Dale of the Northwest Workers’ Justice Project.
A broad group participated in the hearing to call on the legislature to take action this session, including: Gerhard Taeubel and Paloma Spark, Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI); Chris Hewitt, Oregon Nurses Association; D. Michael Dale, Northwest Workers’ Justice Project; and Darrin Boyce, an impacted worker.
Wage theft occurs when employers do any of the following:
- Pay less than minimum wage;
- Do not pay overtime;
- Deny meal and break periods, or
- Pay for fewer hours than an employee has worked, or simply don’t pay at all.
“I know all too well what it means to be cheated,” said Darrin Boyce, a sheet metal worker from Portland who has been a victim of wage theft more than once in his career. “I have a family to support. When my employer doesn’t pay me for all my time, I’m left struggling to get by. Not knowing how much I’m going to get paid also makes it tough each month to know if I can cover my family’s expenses or not.”
Wage theft happens frequently in Oregon and it impacts workers across numerous industries, including retail, restaurants, grocery stores, domestic work, blue-collar industries, construction and personal services. A worker earning minimum wage who is denied just half an hour’s worth of wages a day adds up to more than $1,400 a year. For families struggling to get by, that can be the difference between paying rent on time and facing eviction.
Workers report an average of $4.7 million in stolen wages every year and many incidences aren’t reported at all, making the actual sum much higher. Even when workers go through the difficult process of winning a wage theft claim, many can’t recover the money they are owed. Between 2010-2013, BOLI ruled on 3,303 claims of stolen wages totaling $6.2 million. However, of those claims, employers only paid 28% of stolen wages back to workers.
“We urge the legislature to make the promise of Oregon’s labor laws real,” said Dale “It’s time to protect our workers who are cheated the most—women, people of color and low-wage workers. This will in turn have ripple effects throughout Oregon’s local economies.”
The proposed legislation will:
- Give workers additional tools to expose employer wrongdoing
- Reduce the barriers that prevent workers from getting help and recovering the wages they are owed, and
- Help build a foundation for comprehensive wage theft reform in 2017
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Contact: Heather Stuart, Heather@FairShotOregon.org
Fair Shot For All highlights big wins from labor unions, community groups, and racial justice organizations that address economic equality issues, combat racial and gender discrimination
PORTLAND, OR - Tuesday evening, Fair Shot For All held a meeting with the United Nations Working Group on Discrimination Against Women in Law and in Practice (UNWGDAW) as part of the group’s visit to the United States for an official fact-finding tour.The meeting was facilitated with the coordination of the US Human Rights Network (USHRN), a national network of organizations and individuals working to strengthen a human rights movement and culture within the United States led by the people most directly impacted by human rights violations. The Working Group is made up of five independent human rights experts charged by the UN Human Rights Council to help countries improve women’s human rights around the world.
“Oregon stands out as a place where social justice advocates are effectively partnering to take big, real steps to remove barriers to economic security for all Oregonians. We won campaigns to bring sick days to families across our state so they can see a doctor or recover when sick without losing needed pay or risking their job; "ban the box" on employment applications so people with previous arrests and convictions can get back to work to provide for their families, and created a state system that ensures every Oregonian has a secure and accessible path to save for retirement,“ said Andrea Paluso, spokesperson for the Fair Shot Coalition and Executive Director of Family Forward Oregon. “While we are very proud of these accomplishments, we know there is still so much left to do, like raise the minimum wage in our state. The average minimum wage worker is a 35 year old woman caring for family members, and too often her hard work isn’t enough to make ends meet because of high housing costs, low wages and benefits, and employer abuses such as unpaid overtime. The Fair Shot for All coalition will continue to fight for a higher minimum wage and other advances for women.”
The working group has visited several states to learn more about issues of discrimination against women. During their trip to Oregon, the group will document good practices and examine progressive laws in the areas of economic life and health. At the conclusion of their visit, the group will hold a press conference—on Friday, December 11, at 1pm at the United Nations Information Center, Washington, DC,—where they will deliver preliminary findings and recommendations. Their findings will later be presented to the UN Human Rights Council.
“We’re honored to have our work in Oregon recognized by the UN,” said Paluso. “The Fair Shot for All coalition is doing such important work by bringing together diverse Oregonians to work for equity for women, men of color, immigrants, refugees, LGBTQ communities, and others who are too often left behind.”
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Contact: Rose King, (503) 863-1363, rose@brinkcomm.com
Salem, Ore. – Today, Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and the Work Group on the Prevention of Profiling by Law Enforcement released a report outlining recommendations for the Oregon Legislature to prevent and respond appropriately to profiling by law enforcement.
As strong advocates leading the fight to end profiling in Oregon, the Fair Shot For All Coalition issued the following statement from coalition member Kayse Jama, Executive Director of the Center for Intercultural Organizing:
Profiling by law enforcement continues to be a serious problem that affects Oregonians in communities across the state. Every day, people are targeted based on their race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, language, housing status, sexual orientation or gender identity.
We took an important first step in the 2015 Legislative Session by passing a law that bans profiling in Oregon. However, simply making something illegal does not mean it does not still occur—and our work is far from over. More must be done to ensure our criminal justice system can effectively identify, record, and correct any profiling practices by Oregon law enforcement agencies. Without making these critical changes, we fall short of our goal to stop this harmful practice.
This fall, the Attorney General and Work Group members listened to community members share the emotional, psychological, physical and financial trauma they’ve experienced as a result of profiling happening right here in Oregon. They heard firsthand how this practice doesn’t make our neighborhoods safer—it disrupts lives and creates ripple effects that harm families and communities.
People in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color are targeted the most by profiling practices, leading to higher arrest and conviction rates for these communities. Many are already struggling financially and risk harsher penalties and extra fees when they can’t afford to pay the fines that result from unfair profiling—putting their jobs on the line and their families at risk.
Law enforcement is at its best when officers work together with communities to ensure public safety and promote the dignity of all people. The recommendations rolled out by the Work Group today are another step in the right direction towards changing the culture of policing in our state, making neighborhoods safer and communities stronger. We thank the Attorney General and Work Group members for their commitment to this issue and willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue with communities across the state.
Fair Shot For All Coalition will continue to work with legislators, local communities and law enforcement organizations to ensure that everyone is treated fairly by law enforcement. We are committed to lead the fight to end profiling in Oregon and we look forward to the Attorney General’s support in moving the Work Group recommendations to action.
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Contact:
Mike Westling, 414-507-7700
mike@brinkcomm.com
In 2016, Fair Shot coalition will push elected officials to stop wage theft, raise the wage, and end profiling
Portland, Ore. – In anticipation of the upcoming legislative session, the Fair Shot for All coalition launched their 2016 Legislative Agenda on Thursday. The agenda includes stopping wage theft, ending profiling, and raising the wage.
“While we’ve made significant progress, the reality is that many Oregonians continue to struggle in the face of long-standing inequities and we still face a growing gap between the wealthy and working families,” said Andrea Miller, executive director of Causa. “By coming together, we can stand up to discrimination, honor the value of hard work and build stronger communities.”
In addition to continuing work to raise Oregon’s minimum wage and end profiling, the coalition is taking on wage theft, a series of illegal employment practices that deny workers the wages they’ve earned.
Examples of wage theft include:
- Employers paying less than the minimum wage
- Refusing to pay overtime
- Forcing employees to work “off the clock” or “under the table”
- Issuing paychecks that bounce
- Stealing tips
- Denying legally-required breaks, and
- Flat out not paying workers at all.
In 2016, Fair Shot for All will be urging state legislators to:
- Give workers the tools to expose employer wrongdoing;
- Reduce the barriers that prevent workers from getting help; and recovering the wages they are owed; and
- Put an end to workplace abuses that leave workers and their families shortchanged.
“The reality is, that even when working Oregonians put in an honest day’s work, they don’t always receive an honest day’s pay,” said Tom Chamberlain, president of Oregon AFL-CIO. “Oregon law doesn’t always protect workers who experience wage theft, who are often immigrants, women, people of color and low-wage workers. While most employers in our communities do right by their workers, there are too many that don’t.”
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Fair Shot for All is a broad coalition of community, healthcare service, and labor groups that collectively stand for the dreams, beliefs, and needs of hundreds of thousands of Oregonians. The coalition members have joined together to push for real policy solutions that address economic inequality and create a better future for all Oregonians.
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Contact:
Michelle Glass, 541-292-8201
michelle@oregonaction.org
Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum will hear input from Southern Oregon community members about the effects of police profiling and public suggestions for addressing the issue
What:
Police profiling continues to be a serious problem that affects Oregonians in communities across the state. Incidents of profiling can result in negative emotional, psychological, physical and financial trauma that disrupts lives and creates ripple effects for families.
On Thursday, members of the community will share their personal experiences with profiling with Oregon’s Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum. During the listening session, Attorney General Rosenblum will also share a summary of the Oregon Task Force on Law Enforcement Profiling’s work to date and community leaders will offer guidance for an effective process to investigate incidents of profiling and end the practice among law enforcement in Oregon.
When/Where:
Thursday, November 5, at 6:00 p.m.
Rogue Community College / Southern Oregon University Higher Education Center
101 S. Bartlett
Room 129B
Medford, OR 97501
Who:
Oregon Action Board Member Ricardo Lujan and other members of the community will statements of personal experiences with police profiling.
To speak with Ricardo Lujan about his story, you can contact him at 760.810.2121 or ricardolujan@cnpls.net. To connect with other community members who will be testifying on Thursday evening or to receive more information about the statewide effort to end profiling, please contact Michelle Glass at 541.292.8201 or michelle@oregonaction.org.
Why:
Currently in Oregon, each law enforcement agency is left to decide their own definition and process on profiling. Profiling occurs in every part of the state and impacts many different communities, and until the Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 2002 in July 2015, there had been no coordinated state policy to address it.
House Bill 2002 banned the practice of profiling as a law enforcement tactic. It also created the Law Enforcement Profiling Work Group—a governor-appointed committee that includes the Attorney General, law enforcement, community groups and members of the public—tasked with following up on transparency and accountability. The next step is for that workgroup to propose a process to identify patterns or practices of profiling, identify methods to address and correct these practices and biased policies, and prepare a report identifying any additional statutory changes that are needed to achieve these goals.
People in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color are targeted the most, leading to higher arrest and conviction rates among people of color generally—and African-Americans specifically. Many are already struggling to make ends meet and risk harsher penalties and extra fees when they can’t afford to pay the fines that often result from unfair profiling—putting their jobs on the line and their families at risk.
While the Oregon legislature passed legislation to ban police profiling in 2015, there is still no structure in place to effectively identify, record, and correct any profiling practices by Oregon law enforcement agencies.
By ending profiling, Oregon will start to change the culture of policing, making neighborhoods safer and communities stronger.
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Contact:
Mike Westling, 414-507-7700
mike@brinkcomm.com
Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum will hear input from Portland community members about the effects of police profiling and public suggestions for addressing the issue
What:
Police profiling continues to be a serious problem that affects Oregonians in communities across the state. Incidents of profiling can result in negative emotional, psychological, physical and financial trauma that disrupts lives and creates ripple effects for families.
On Tuesday, members of the community will share their personal experiences with profiling with Oregon’s Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum. During the listening session, Attorney General Rosenblum will also share a summary of the Oregon Task Force on Law Enforcement Profiling’s work to date and community leaders will offer guidance for an effective process to investigate incidents of profiling and end the practice among law enforcement in Oregon.
When/Where:
Tuesday, October 27, at 6:00 p.m.
Portland Building
1120 SW 5th Avenue
Room C
Portland, OR 97204
Who:
Community members sharing statements include:
Eduardo Corona, the small business development program director of Adelante Mujeres in Forest Grove
Quinton Blandon, a pre-med college student
Blandon will share a personal story of being chased at gunpoint by Newberg police as he was walking home. Blandon’s written account of his experience is included below.
If you’d like to connect with Corona or Blandon about their experiences with police profiling, please contact Mike Westling at 414.507.7700 or mike@brinkcomm.com
Why:
Currently in Oregon, each law enforcement agency is left to decide their own definition and process on profiling. Profiling occurs in every part of the state and impacts many different communities, and until the Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 2002 in July 2015, there had been no coordinated state policy to address it.
House Bill 2002 banned the practice of profiling as a law enforcement tactic. It also created the Law Enforcement Profiling Work Group—a governor-appointed committee that includes the Attorney General, law enforcement, community groups and members of the public—tasked with following up on transparency and accountability. The next step is for that workgroup to propose a process to identify patterns or practices of profiling, identify methods to address and correct these practices and biased policies, and prepare a report identifying any additional statutory changes that are needed to achieve these goals.
People in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color are targeted the most, leading to higher arrest and conviction rates among people of color generally—and African-Americans specifically. Many are already struggling to make ends meet and risk harsher penalties and extra fees when they can’t afford to pay the fines that often result from unfair profiling—putting their jobs on the line and their families at risk.
While the Oregon legislature passed legislation to ban police profiling in 2015, there is still no structure in place to effectively identify, record, and correct any profiling practices by Oregon law enforcement agencies.
By ending profiling, Oregon will start to change the culture of policing, making neighborhoods safer and communities stronger.
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Quinton Blandon’s Story
For the past three years, I have been attending college at George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon. While the campus certainly has not been a safe haven from bigotry, it is the Newberg police department that has provided me with my most racist experiences to date. One evening, while I was walking home from the gym, a squad car with two officers drove up on the side of me. The driving officer then slowed the car to the pace I was walking, both officers were looking at me like they wanted to get out the car and kill me. I was horrified but stood my ground and stared back. After about twenty seconds of eye contact between the officers and I, the driving officer began to speed up and slow down in short spurts. After thoroughly intimidating me for about one minute, the two officers finally sped off at about 60 miles per hour with their blue and red lights on. I was so scared after they left, I ran the remaining 60 yards home breathing heavily, feeling unsafe, and shaking. At that particular moment I knew the police in Newberg could not be trusted and that I was a target for their harassment, misconduct, and profiling. As awful as this incident may sound, this was not the last time I would be left feeling violated by the Newberg police.
On the night of November 24, 2012, I was walking home from a friend’s house. When I got one house down from where I lived, a police car turned the corner and drove past me head on, after the officers drove fifty yards past me, they turned off their headlights, turned on their red and blue lights, and began speeding towards me at more than 70 miles per hour. The driving officer jumped out of his vehicle with his hands on his utility belt. I asked, “what’s the problem officer?” to which he responded, “you were walking in the middle of the street.” I replied, “no I wasn’t sir.” That’s when the officer drew his gun, pointed it at me, and began walking towards me. I was so scared I tried running home. Unfortunately, I only got as far as my neighbors yard. While frantically yelling for help, an officer approached me with his flashlight in my face, threw me to the ground, and twisted my hands behind my back so hard, I felt my left shoulder pop out of socket. I immediately told the officers about the pain I was in but I didn’t get offered any medical attention. I was stood up and escorted by an officer to the street with about ten or more other officers surrounding me. After asking why I was stopped, an officer responded, you were in the street, which I am certain I was not. I then said,” this is so unfair” An officer then blurted out, “ Geez! You guys need to stop blaming everyone else for what happens to you and take responsibility for you guys’ action, you all would be a lot better off if you did.” One officer reinforced this statement under his breath by stating, “that’s right N-word.” An officer then searched me without my consent, and when I asked for badge cards, all the arresting officers’ refused to provide me with theirs.
It is needless to say this experience was life changing for me. The encounters I’ve had with the Newberg police particularly the latter have severely traumatized me. Whenever I see a police car, my heart begins to race, I sweat beads, and I become bogged down by anxiety. As a result of consistently being terrorized by the Newberg police, I am not only fearful of the police but I do not want to support or assist them in any way. Of course not all cops are bad and I have had some positive encounters with the police, but the bad experiences outweigh the good by far, therefore, it has become apparent to me I’m a citizen who is protected and served but I am also extremely vulnerable to police brutality because I am a black male.
Also, in both encounters, I was charged with a host of misdemeanors that I did not earn and my life went into a tailspin. After that night, I was suspended from my second semester of college, I had to quit my job, and also, I’m finding it a lot harder to find a job and housing.
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In 2014, over twenty Oregon labor unions, community groups and racial justice organizations came together to form Fair Shot For All. We launched our powerful and unique coalition with one objective: to give a voice to those who are often left behind in the political process, to turn the discussion of racial and economic inequality into action—and to win.
The Register Guard editorial board highlighted our “potent political agenda” earlier this month. Read what they had to say about Fair Shot For All here.
As a coalition, we worked in lockstep in support of five policy solutions that address longstanding economic inequities and fix the outdated, broken rules that shape our work, wages and planning for the future. And today, four of these key policies are now the law of the land in Oregon.
I’m pleased to provide you an overview of these policy wins and share what’s next for our coalition.
Working families are the big winners of the Oregon 2015 Legislative Session
Oregon’s 2015 legislative session brought big gains working families. With the support of Fair Shot For All, Oregon lawmakers passed the following four policies aimed at making a difference in the lives of Oregonians.
Expanding Access to Sick Time. Just under half a million working Oregonians will earn sick time that can be used for the diagnosis, care or treatment of the worker or a member of their family or in instances of domestic violence.
Banning the Box. Removing the box about criminal history on job applications will give people with prior convictions and arrests a better chance at getting back to work and rebuilding their lives.
Making Saving For Retirement Easier. Every working Oregonian will have access to an easy, effective way to plan for the future and build a retirement savings.
Ending Profiling. Banning the practice of profiling as a law enforcement tactic will shift Oregon to community policing, a more effective public safety strategy that make neighborhoods safer by fostering trust between law enforcement officers and communities.
Read more about each of these bills here.
Governor Brown and Fair Shot For All Hold Bill Signing Ceremony
On July 13th, Governor Kate Brown and Fair Shot For All held a ceremonial bill signing for the Fair Shot package of bills that create economic opportunity for Oregon’s working families.
More than 150 of our supporters—including workers, business owners, and community and labor leaders—joined together to celebrate these four major victories. Check out photos from the Fair Shot bill signing here.
We thank Governor Brown, the leadership of Oregon’s House of Representatives and Senate, all those who made us a priority and supported these important bills. Hear what Governor Brown had to say about giving Oregonians a fair shot here.
We also thank our supporters who showed up at hearings, met with legislators, made phone calls, wrote letters, and rallied in cities across the state. They shared their stories and made the case for change. And Oregon’s elected leaders heard their call.
Our work isn’t done
Oregon is not alone – we are part of a wave that is happening across the country. Working families, small business owners, and community leaders from every corner of the United States continue calling for real solutions that will give every one of us an opportunity to succeed.
We achieved significant progress for working families this session, but our work is far from over.
Raise the wage
Today in Oregon, a full-time worker with a minimum wage job is paid less than $20,000 per year, leaving thousands of Oregonians working hard but still unable to make ends meet. Raising the minimum wage will give more Oregonians a chance to be self-sufficient and to better provide for themselves and their children.
Fair Shot For All will continue our fight to give hardworking Oregonians a raise in 2016 and give back local control to communities to raise the wage to $15 and beyond.
New solutions for working families
We will also take action on new issues in the 2016 legislative session, policies that address what’s preventing Oregonians from getting ahead. Over the coming months, we will engage communities around the state to zero in on what’s important to working families and roll out a new agenda with real solutions that will make a difference in the lives of Oregonians.
Fair Shot For All remains focused on building an economy that generates rising incomes and opportunity for everyone who’s willing to put in the effort.
Here’s the bottom line: We refuse to accept an economy where only a few of us do well.
I urge you to visit the Fair Shot For All website and follow Fair Shot for All on Facebook for the latest updates on our fight forward.
Onward!
- Heather
Heather Stuart
Fair Shot for All Campaign Director
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Contact: Dahlia Grossman-Heinze, dahlia@brinkcomm.com, 562-212-2999
Oregon leads the country with a slate of legislation that includes paid sick days, retirement security, ‘banning the box’, and ending profiling
Photos updating at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/oregongovbrown/albums
(Salem, Ore.)—Governor Kate Brown today signed into law four polices that will create economic opportunity for Oregon’s working families: expanding access to paid sick days, making saving for retirement easier, “banning the box” to create job opportunities for people with prior convictions and arrests, and ending profiling based on race, gender and sexual orientation.
“I was thrilled to sign these four pieces of legislation that will strengthen the economic security of working families in our state,” said Governor Brown. “I want to thank the Legislature and the advocates for their tireless work to get these bills to my desk. Yet, our work is not done. There are still people with full time jobs who are unable to make ends meet. We must carry on the fight to ensure all Oregonians have the opportunity to earn a living wage.”
The four bills are part of the Fair Shot For All legislative agenda announced by the coalition in January, just before the start of the Oregon 2015 Legislative Session. Over twenty Oregon labor unions, community groups and racial justice organizations came together to form Fair Shot For All. The coalition focuses on addressing longstanding economic inequality, fixing our broken economy and giving all Oregonians a fair shot at success.
“Fair Shot For All set out this session to win real improvements in the lives of Oregonians, and working families, small business owners, and community leaders from all over the state were behind us every step of the way,” said Andrea Paluso, Fair Shot For All Co-Chair and Family Forward Oregon Executive Director. “Today, we’re pleased to stand with Governor Brown and celebrate four major victories that help mark this legislative session as one of the most significant in recent history for Oregon’s working families. ”
The remaining bill in the Fair Shot For All agenda, raising the minimum wage, will be considered when the legislature reconvenes in January 2016. Below is a listing of the four bills signed into law:
Expanding Access to Sick Time
Senate Bill 454, the paid sick time bill, creates a statewide standard so workers in businesses with 10 or more employees can earn one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours (about five days) in a year. Workers in smaller businesses with less than 10 employees will receive job protection for up to 40 hours of unpaid sick time a year.
Just under half a million working Oregonians will soon earn sick time that can be used for the diagnosis, care or treatment of the worker or a member of their family or in instances of domestic violence. The bill also protects employees from retaliation or discrimination for the use of sick time.
Banning the Box
House Bill 3025 prohibits employers from including questions about applicants’ criminal history on job applications.
Successful employment is one of the most important factors for decreasing recidivism. A steady job provides not just financial resources, but also connections to a new community that can help reduce the risk of another offense.
In Oregon, nearly 5,000 people are released from prison every year. By removing the box, people will have a better chance at getting back to work and rebuilding their lives, becoming productive members of society who pay taxes and support other local businesses.
Making Saving For Retirement Easier
House Bill 2960 provides every Oregonian with a safe, easy and effective way to save for retirement. A state-sponsored plan will make it incredibly easy for small business owners to offer retirement plans– they will only need to add a line item to the monthly pay stub.
Currently, nearly half of all Oregonians do not have a retirement plan at work. As a result, many are at risk of living in poverty when they retire – unable to cover basic living and medical expenses. Oregon’s senior population is projected to increase from 502,000 to 950,000 by 2030. By taking action, Oregon has helped avoid a social and state budgetary crisis for the state.
Ending Profiling
House Bill 2002 bans the practice of profiling as a law enforcement tactic. Oregon will soon shift to community policing, a more effective public safety strategy that fosters trust between law enforcement officers and communities.
People in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color are targeted the most, leading to higher arrest and conviction rates among people of color generally—and African-Americans specifically. Many are already struggling to make ends meet and risk harsher penalties and extra fees when they can’t afford to pay the fines that often result from unfair profiling—putting their jobs on the line and their families at risk.
By ending profiling, Oregon will start to change the culture of policing, making neighborhoods safer and communities stronger.
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Contact:
Mike Westling
(503) 498-8161
mike@brinkcomm.com
Raising the wage remains as unfinished business of the 2015 legislative session
Salem, Ore. – With Sine Die expected in the next several days, the Fair Shot for All coalition today called the 2015 legislative session “one of the most significant sessions in recent history for Oregon’s working families,” with four major policy solutions enacted into law.
In 2014, more than 20 community and labor groups formed a coalition with the goal of passing real policy solutions aimed at fixing our broken economy and giving all Oregonians a fair shot at success. Together, Fair Shot for All identified five key policy priorities for the 2015 legislative session:
- Expand access to paid sick days
- Establish a secure way to save for the future
- “Ban the box“ to create job opportunities for people with prior convictions and arrests
- End police profiling based on race, gender and sexual orientation
- Raise the minimum wage
As the 2015 session comes to a close, the Oregon Legislature has approved four of these five policies, marking significant progress toward economic security for working families. The sole priority still outstanding is raising Oregon’s minimum wage.
“The power of Fair Shot for All comes from its members: working families, small business owners, and community leaders from all over the state who have been calling for real solutions that will give every Oregonian an opportunity to succeed,”said Andrea Miller, executive director of Causa. “Throughout the 2015 legislative session, they showed up at hearings, met with legislators, made phone calls, wrote letters, and rallied in cities across the state. They shared their stories and made the case for change. They made their voices heard in Salem and elected officials responded.”
Despite several legislative successes for working Oregonians, the state’s elected leaders have failed to take action to raise the wage as the 2015 session comes to a close. Today in Oregon, a full-time worker with a minimum wage job is paid less than $20,000 per year, leaving thousands of Oregonians working hard but still unable to make ends meet.
“We achieved significant progress for working families this session, but our work is far from over,” said Andrea Paluso, executive director of Family Forward Oregon. "While the legislature’s failure to act to raise the wage is disappointing, we will continue pushing our elected officials to take actions that create an economy that works for all of us. Raising the minimum wage will give more Oregonians a chance to be self-sufficient and to better provide for themselves and their children. These families simply can't afford to wait much longer."
Contrary to popular belief, the typical minimum wage worker in Oregon isn’t a teenager living with their parents. A 2015 study from the Labor Education and Research Center at the University of Oregon reported that the average age of minimum wage workers is 35. The study also reported that nearly two-thirds of minimum wage workers are women and many of them are supporting families.
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