Berkeley Labor Center

This convening brings together senior state officials, leading researchers, and policy experts to examine where current protections are falling short, and what policy solutions are emerging. Free, lunch provided. CEUs available!

Policy Briefing: April 28, Sacramento & online, 9:30- 1:00. Learn more & RSVP na.eventscloud.com/ehome/26clls As California's workforce shifts towards subcontracting and app-based employment, many of the systems designed to protect worker health and safety are struggling to keep pace.

A sad story of stagnant or reduced wages due to rising health care costs. "When employers spend more on health insurance, there is less money available for wages. Rising premiums are, in effect, a hidden pay cut for working families." calmatters.org/commentary/202…

Check out the report: laborcenter.berkeley.edu/state-of-worki…

@KQED's affordability series looks at housing in the Bay Area, citing our report finding half of Black workers and more than 4 in 10 Latino workers in the East Bay are considered rent burdened, with >30% of their income going to rent. kqed.org/news/12078615/…

California’s $20 an hour fast food minimum wage, instituted in 2024, did not reduce employment. It led to only the most modest of price increases—barely noticeable to a consumer. It significantly improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of workers. capitalandmain.com/despite-apocal…

Join our Green Economy team! Contribute to research on workforce standards and strategies related to the energy transition, and worker-led approaches to economic development and industrial policy aimed at building the green economy. Learn more: laborcenter.berkeley.edu/job-opening-po…

NEWS: We’re releasing new research today on who is leaving California, where they go, and what happens to their finances after they move. capolicylab.org/priced-out-rel… 🧵(1/9)

Undervalued and underpaid: Our new factsheet describes the characteristics of the private sector security guard workforce in Seattle and the state of Washington, highlighting the need to improve labor conditions in the industry. laborcenter.berkeley.edu/demographic-an…

“Some folks will find coverage through their or a family member’s employer, but there will be a lot more uninsured,” Miranda Dietz said. And county health systems—clinics—are one place uninsured people turn to for help when they get sick. @MarkKreidler capitalandmain.com/the-least-bad-…

Enrique Lopezlira will join @RepDeSaulnier and others at a virtual Town Hall on Immigration on April 1 at 4 pm, speaking on how the economy and jobs would be impacted if we didn't have immigration. Register today: desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp

"One Big Beautiful Bill upends funding and leads to 3,400 layoffs statewide." Our research along with that of others is cited here, as we begin to experience the impact of the federal Medicaid cuts. mercurynews.com/2026/03/23/cal…

We're seeking candidates for the position of Technology and Work Program Director to oversee, develop, and conduct research, policy analysis, and training related to rapid technological change in the workplace. Learn more & spread the word! laborcenter.berkeley.edu/job-opening-te…

Janus was intended to be a huge blow for unions, but it provided some opportunities. "It has allowed some unions to have more ongoing conversations with represented workers...to demonstrate the value of being part of a union," said Brenda Muñoz. sacbee.com/news/politics-…

What does it take to get more women into construction? "Opportunities for apprenticeship & learning on the job. It's one thing to recruit women into these occupations, but you also have to train them through actual opportunities," said Enrique Lopezlira. cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/n…

Women's History Month profile of Katie Quan from @AFLCIO : aflcio.org/2026/3/8/women…

They Labor Center is seeking candidates for the position of Technology and Work Program Director to oversee, develop, and conduct research, policy analysis, and training related to rapid technological change in the workplace. Learn more & spread the word! laborcenter.berkeley.edu/job-opening-te…

Why are so many California Teachers Going on Strike? Danielle Mahones discusses this on The California Report. "Educators and families are questioning, in a state with such a large economy, why can't we make different decisions to fund our schools?" omny.fm/shows/kqed-seg…

CORRECTED JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: The UC Berkeley Labor Center seeks a Program Coordinator to support its Labor Management Partnerships program and other programs that engage worker organizations. laborcenter.berkeley.edu/job-opening-pr…

We're hiring! The UC Berkeley Labor Center seeks a Program Coordinator to support its Labor Summer Program and other programs that engage worker organizations. Learn more and apply ➡️ laborcenter.berkeley.edu/job-opening-pr…