Sep 8, 2022
A re-energized labor movement sparks hope
In an earlier era, a vibrant labor movement nurtured a broad middle class. But half-a-century ago, under severe attack from corporations, the fortunes of organized labor began to turn for the worse.
Right now, though, we are seeing hopeful signs of a revival of union power, explains *Mark Brenner, an economist and co-director of the Labor Education and Research Center (LERC) at the University of Oregon*. Mark discusses the past and present state of the labor movement.
Few workers face greater challenges than farmworkers, who endure low-pay and dangerous working conditions while performing truly essential work. In the second half of the show, *Reyna Lopez, executive director of Pineros Y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (PCUN)*, discusses the challenges faced by Oregon’s farmworker movement, as well as its achievements and aspirations.