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Reposted by UC Berkeley Labor Center

Sarah Lazare @sarahlazare.bsky.social · 7h

"Amazon workers at four delivery and sorting warehouses in Germany are organizing to make every minute count. They’re demanding that Amazon pay them for every minute of work, saying in a petition that the company is stealing their time." Important reporting by @lfelizleon.bsky.social

labornotes.org

German Amazon Workers Organize to Get Paid for Every Minute

Amazon workers at four delivery and sorting warehouses in Germany are organizing to make every minute count. They’re demanding that Amazon pay them for every minute of work, saying in a petition that ...

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 7h

“...there’s much more to be done to build out a robust set of worker technology rights for the 21st-century labor market, but California’s unions have put the first big stake in the ground.” --Annette Bernhardt, Senior Tech Policy Advisor at the UC Berkeley Labor Center

bloodinthemachine.com

California just passed the strongest AI labor laws in the US

Finally, some good news

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Almost 1 in 10 jobs in the Bay Area is in the manufacturing sector. But are these good jobs? For most blue-collar workers the answer is no: their median wage is only $24.50, and less than a third of production workers in the Bay Area are paid a living wage. laborcenter.berkeley.edu/making-it-in...

Collage of three factory workers, two wearing safety goggles, one wearing a hard hat, and one wearing a face mask and hairnet.

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Webinar: "Understanding How AI Impacts Worker Health and Safety," on Wed, October 7, 2026, 12-1 PT. A discussion of AI in the workplace looking at recent laws, worker experiences and a conceptual framework for safety professionals. By UC Berkeley LOHP and COEH. www.coeh.berkeley.edu/26WEB1007

Headshots of webinar speakers Mishal Khan, Terrysa Guerra, John Sadowski, PhD, and Yasin Khan.

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

“There’s plenty of blame to go around” for expensive healthcare, said Miranda Dietz, director of the Health Care Program at the UC Berkeley Labor Center. But ospital costs make up the largest share of premium spending – about 40 cents of every premium dollar. calmatters.org/health/2026/...

calmatters.org

What will California's next governor do about healthcare? Here are Becerra and Hilton's plans

Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton say they’re mindful of voters’ worries about healthcare costs, but their plans don’t have much detail.

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Understanding How AI Impacts Worker Health and Safety Webinar October from 12-1pm PT Join the Labor Center Senior Researcher Mishal Khan, PhD, and other panelists to learn about how safety professionals can apply existing tools to emerging hazards around AI. lnkd.in/gbeyVX7e

lnkd.in

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Despite living in a largely pro-labor state, with a Democrat-controlled Legislature and dozens of cities & counties w/ wage floors higher than the state minimum, low-wage workers in California are losing ground. @markkreidler.bsky.social @capitalandmain.bsky.social capitalandmain.com/she-leaves-h...

capitalandmain.com

She Leaves Home Before Dawn to Get to Her Low-Wage Job. She’s 83.

Salud Garcia’s struggles echo those of millions of low-wage workers across the nation, where mounting costs erode their already precarious footing.

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Unions are pushing for better pay and training for security officers. “They’re playing this critical public safety role, but their wages and training have not kept pace with those responsibilities and risks with the job.”—Enrique Lopezlira www.nytimes.com/2026/09/16/b...

nytimes.com

Security Guards Offer Protection, But Get Paid Little in Return

A recent high-profile shooting outside a mosque and rising threats to houses of worship have focused attention on security guards. Now, unions are pressing for better pay and training.

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

That’s a wrap on summer 2026! 🎬☀️ From hands-on projects to unforgettable learning moments, our student interns have spent the last few months diving headfirst into real in-the-field experience.

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

How are CA unions faring in the face of an unfriendly federal administration, a militarized deportation campaign, and a continuing cost-of-living crisis? Check out this new report from UCLA IRLE, with contributions from 7 UC labor centers (including us). laborcenter.berkeley.edu/state-of-the...

laborcenter.berkeley.edu

State of the Unions: California Labor in 2025

A report from the UCLA Institute for Research on Labor and Employment, including research from the UC Berkeley Labor Center. This edition of the “State of the Unions” report offers readers insight int...

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

It took 31 hours of minimum wage work a week in the '90s to fully pay for college, room and board, even after accounting for federal payroll and income taxes for a single filer. Today, it requires a workweek of 71 hours. money.com/pay-for-coll...

money.com

Here's How Long It Has Been Since You Could Pay for College With a Minimum Wage Job

Until 2001, you could fully pay for college tuition, room and board with any full-time job in the U.S., according to a Money analysis of federal wage and education data. That's no longer the case.

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Come to our Open House Thurs at 4:30! Hear from Labor Center staff & researchers about their work, meet folks interested in the labor movement, & learn how you can get involved! All are welcome! Sponsored by our Student Engagement Team. Learn more & RSVP: laborcenter.berkeley.edu/event/2026-l...

laborcenter.berkeley.edu

2026 Labor Center Open House

Hear from Labor Center staff and researchers about their work, meet other students interested in the labor movement, and learn how you can get involved at our Fall 2026 open house!

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

There have been lots of changes to Medi-Cal and Covered California, from both federal and state policy. Our new maps help folks understand the consequences of policymakers' decisions. mailchi.mp/berkeley/upd...

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Check out our work with PSE Healthy Energy on environmental concerns about clean energy manufacturing. The information can help policymakers, businesses, and communities make smart decisions about siting and regulation for clean energy manufacturing. www.psehealthyenergy.org/work/environ...

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

"As Amazon, Starbucks & Trader Joe’s have repeatedly demonstrated, it is possible for workers to unionize & still find themselves stonewalled when it comes to bargaining for wages, job protections & improved work conditions." @markkreidler.bsky.social capitalandmain.com/after-years-...

capitalandmain.com

After Years-Long Battle, California Rideshare Drivers Win Certification. Can They Win a Contract?

If Uber and Lyft resort to the stalling tactics corporations commonly use to block higher pay and better working conditions, gig workers will still have a fight on their hands.

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

New deadline! Apply by Aug 18 to Skills to Win, our 6-week workshop for rank & file members and staff of unions, worker associations, worker centers, and community organizations starting or running organizing campaigns. Thursdays in Sept & Oct. Learn more! laborcenter.berkeley.edu/workshop/ski...

laborcenter.berkeley.edu

Skills to Win

Join us once a week for two hours on Zoom for the Skills to Win workshop, which focuses on how to build high participation organizations. October 9-November 13, 2025.

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

☀️ Labor Summer 2026 is officially wrapping up! Our incredible interns are finishing their summer of hands-on learning this week. Every single week, we polled our students for just one word to describe their experience. The collective result? An inspiring snapshot of growth, passion, and solidarity!

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Does fraud explain the increase in CA's IHSS spending? No, say experts: “IHSS spending has grown rapidly in recent years due to the increased need for home care among seniors and individuals with disabilities, and increased home care worker wages.” www.factcheck.org/2026/08/ozs-...

factcheck.org

Oz's Medicaid Fraud Claims About California and Minnesota Lack Context - FactCheck.org

Announcing a pause on more than $1 billion in Medicaid funding to Minnesota and California last month, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz accused state officials of b...

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Low-income patients who rely on public insurance programs like Medicaid—Medi-Cal in California—will be hit hardest by recent federal and state Medicaid cuts, but people with commercial insurance will feel the effects too. @calmatters.org calmatters.org/health/2026/...

calmatters.org

Medicaid cuts could hit your ER wait time and premium, not just Medi-Cal

Even privately insured Californians could see longer ER waits and rising premiums as hospitals absorb Medi-Cal cuts.

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Opinion in @sacbee.com by Nari Rhee: Social Security isn’t just a “safety net” for the elderly; it is California’s economic bedrock. In 2024, the program injected almost $138 billion into our state ... (1/3) www.sacbee.com/opinion/op-e...

sacbee.com

Social Security isn’t just a safety net. It’s California’s economic bedrock | Opinion

“Despite Social Security’s vital role, we are often told that the program is ‘going bankrupt.’ This is a fundamental misunderstanding.”

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Our research found California’s uninsured rate could nearly double by 2030. “I knew it was going to be bad, but seeing that doubling was shocking to me,” said Miranda Dietz, director of the labor center’s healthcare program. calmatters.org/health/2026/...

calmatters.org

'We're just asking for some dignity': Inside California's Medi-Cal rollback

State and federal cuts could push California's uninsured rate to nearly 15% by 2030 — hitting immigrants and low-income families hardest. Watch the new CalMatters documentary.

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Security officers are more likely to be underpaid and undertrained for the work they’re expected to do. Part of the reason is the prevalence of contracting in the industry, which is associated with lower wages.

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Enrique Lopezlira appeared on KQED Forum to discuss our new report finding security guards face a high risk of injury and death on the job and are more likely to be underpaid and undertrained for the work they’re expected to do. @seiu.org www.kqed.org/forum/201010...

kqed.org

The Challenges and Dangers Security Guards Face | KQED

Airdate: Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at 10 AM More than 1.3 million people work as security guards in the United States, making the job one of the most commonly-held in the country and one that outnumber...

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Today, NYC's Aland Etienne Safety & Security Act is enacted, named in honor of the security officer who was killed trying to shut down his building's elevators during a gunman's attack. The law increases minimum pay & benefits for private security guards. abc7ny.com/post/345-par...

abc7ny.com

One year later, NYC remembers Detective Didarul Islam and victims of Midtown office shooting

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch led a first anniversary memorial ceremony honoring Detective Islam and the other victims of the July 28, 2025, shooting.

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Who are the security officers in the U.S.? Results from our study may surprise you. @seiu.org laborcenter.berkeley.edu/underpaid-un...

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

The idea for the Displaced Oil and Gas Workers Fund grew out of the abrupt 2020 closure of the Marathon Refinery in Contra Costa County, when Marathon gave employees just 60 days’ notice and prohibited them from transferring to their other refineries. www.kqed.org/science/2001...

kqed.org

California’s Displaced Oil and Gas Workers’ Fund Is a Lifeline. Now Advocates Say It’s Time to Expand | KQED

With more industry closures looming, labor leaders are urging lawmakers to expand the safety net that has helped more than 600 workers transition to new careers.

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

In our latest video, the team at North Bay Jobs with Justice shares exactly why hosting our interns is a win-win for their organization and the future of the labor movement! 🌟

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Our new report examines the security guard workforce across the country—and argues that improving job quality in security is a matter both of economic justice and of public safety. laborcenter.berkeley.edu/underpaid-un...

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

We congratulate Lisa Kresge, the new Director of our Technology and Work Program! Outgoing Director Annette Bernhardt will continue to support the program and our partners in her new position as the Labor Center’s Senior Tech Policy Advisor. laborcenter.berkeley.edu/the-labor-ce...

laborcenter.berkeley.edu

The Labor Center congratulates Lisa Kresge, new Director of the Tech and Work Program

Former Senior Researcher Lisa Kresge is the new Director of the Labor Center’s Technology and Work Program. Outgoing Director Annette Bernhardt will continue to support the program and our partners in...

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

"Berkeley researchers found that 22% of low-wage workers rely on Medi-Cal, nearly four times the rate of higher-wage workers. Taxpayers absorb the consequences." www.sacbee.com/opinion/arti...

sacbee.com

California is finally asking who should really pay for Medi-Cal | Opinion

A new state law won’t charge companies yet, but it could provide dedicated dollars to help low-wage workers in the vital Medi-Cal program..

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

The choice of California to apply work requirements to state-funded Medi-Cal recipients “doesn’t really live up to the rhetoric from state officials about trying to implement H.R.1 in the least harmful way possible,” Miranda Dietz said. www.eltimpano.org/english/heal...

eltimpano.org

Health care shakeup hits immigrants

For immigrants in California, access to care is narrowing once more. El Tímpano reports from three corners of the Bay Area on what's changing — and who's affected.

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Uber driver Duane Mitchell explains the public cost of the rideshare industry, and why everyone should support unionizing efforts. @capitalandmain.bsky.social capitalandmain.com/california-r...

Image from article with text reading:
For Mitchell, the bottom line is that his pay is so low that he owes no state or federal taxes and the public has to make up the difference.

“Whose tax dollars are paying for snow removal and road repairs, or staffing of emergency services like police, fire and EMTs? Not me. I get $3,500 a year in food stamps, and I get another $1,000 a year in heating fuel assistance. In my opinion, every single citizen of Massachusetts should be in favor of what we’re doing,” he said.

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

After a week-long orientation, Labor Summer 2026 interns are ready to get to work!

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Federal Medicaid cuts coupled with budget deficits in California means close to 3 million Californians will lose health care over the next two years. “The need for health insurance and healthcare is not going anywhere,” Miranda Dietz said. calmatters.org/politics/202...

calmatters.org

California billionaires are spending big to kill a tax meant to fund health care

A California union wants to tax billionaires to fund healthcare. The initiative has drawn fierce opposition from Newsom and Silicon Valley moguls.

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Pitfall of job training in emerging fields: “There’s this fine calibration required where employers need the workers for the projects, they can’t start training the workers when they need them. But workers can’t train and then wait around.” —Betony Jones. www.latimes.com/california/s...

latimes.com

In California’s ‘Lithium Valley,’ students are training for jobs that don’t yet exist

In the Imperial Valley, colleges created training programs in response to a promised lithium industry. Students are still waiting for jobs to arrive.

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Hear from UC Berkeley Labor Center senior trainer Beatriz Herrera on how Labor Summer helps build out the labor movement pipeline ... and why she loves working on the Labor Summer program. @workingeastbay.bsky.social @seiu521.bsky.social @northbayclc.bsky.social

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Labor Summer 2026 kicks off this week! Hear from @northbayclc.bsky.social, one of this year’s host sites, about why they’re excited to work with our student interns. Stay tuned for more from the interns themselves this week and throughout the summer. @workingeastbay.bsky.social @seiu521.bsky.social

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Historic cuts to Medicaid and low-cost California health insurance could leave 4.6 million residents with no coverage. A new report from the UC Berkeley Labor Center says the working poor, older workers and undocumented workers could bear the brunt. news.berkeley.edu/2026/06/10/t...

news.berkeley.edu

The number of uninsured Californians could nearly double by 2030, says new report - Berkeley News

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Enrique Lopezlira on Charlotte airport worker wages: “Low wages drive high turnover and turnover is a safety problem. A less experienced workforce is less familiar with security and safety procedures.” www.charlotteobserver.com/news/busines...

charlotteobserver.com

Charlotte airport workers call for transparency as lease negotiations continue

Workers have called for better working conditions and wages over the past several months.

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UC Berkeley Labor Center @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

“Over the decades, Medi-Cal has really undergone a significant transformation. It’s shifted from a program that primarily served the disabled and indigent and elderly folks to one that largely supports folks that work in low-wage industries.”—Tia Orr www.latimes.com/politics/new...

latimes.com

Column: California is teetering on a healthcare cliff, but few are paying attention

Between federal and state cuts to healthcare programs, millions of Californians may lose coverage. But it doesn't have to happen.

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