Robert Parker and Ben Clark at the institute for Policy Research & Engagement at the University of Oregon on the ways in which COVID-19 and the response to it affected the economy.

The governor announced his decision on Labor Day. Supporters swayed moderate Democrats by removing a provision that would have put fast food corporations on the hook for labor violations at franchise locations.

California’s fast food workers could get the power to collectively bargain under a bill passed by the California Legislature Monday, a measure that could drastically change the fast food and franchising industries.

Oregon state lawmakers allocated $6 million to community groups this year to help with what they’ve called a humanitarian crisis for workers in the state’s cannabis industry.

California’s unemployment system is too focused on rooting out fraud and minimizing business costs than providing people with timely benefits, according to a new report from the state.

New state rules require access to water, shade and breaks on hot days, but workers say they’re still laboring in unsafe conditions.

The report explores why many jobless Oregonians waited weeks or months to receive unemployment benefits. Auditors recommend an ombuds office to help claimants navigate the system.

A judge rules that a proposition to raise the California minimum wage to $18 an hour can’t go before voters until 2024. The same judge gave backers of recalling Gov. Gavin Newsom more time to qualify, but in this case he backed the Secretary of State, who said proponents missed a key deadline to qualify in time for this November.

Oregon saw 8,700 new jobs added in June, following gains averaging 6,200 jobs in the prior seven months. The state had over 106,000 available jobs in the month.

For years, consumer advocates and some legislators have been battling to rein in escalating health care costs. Now the state has created a new agency to limit future growth in health care costs — and it will have the power to enforce that mandate.

Some teachers have left because of the challenges of teaching during a pandemic, while others were fearful they would contract Covid-19 and some were offered higher-paying jobs. Many just burned out.

Working from home isn't possible in many jobs, but in companies where it is, the return to office has become a point of tension between workers and their bosses.