The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) recently released States That Work: A Labor Policy Roadmap Across America, a groundbreaking publication ranking all 50 states based on their commitment to worker freedom and pro-growth labor reforms. Oregon ranked 48th, confirming that its labor environment continues to lag behind the rest of the country.
“Oregon has tools on the books — like licensing review and some recognition policies — but it refuses to make the structural changes that matter,” said Alan Jernigan, manager of the ALEC Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force. “Without Right to Work or limits on union power, too many Oregon workers are stuck waiting for the promise of reform that never arrives.”
Despite having some modest policy mechanisms in place, Oregon’s labor landscape is still dominated by union mandates, inflated wage laws, and limited workplace flexibility.
“States That Work demonstrates how states that respect worker freedom are winning the race for talent and economic growth,” said ALEC CEO Lisa B. Nelson. “While some are embracing reforms that empower workers and attract businesses, others are doubling down on outdated mandates that drive prosperity away. This is more than a ranking, it’s a wake-up call for lawmakers who want their state to thrive in today’s economy.”
States That Work highlights how states like Alabama and Tennessee protect worker choice through secret ballot union elections, while Nebraska and Louisiana lead with Universal Recognition laws that cut red tape and expand access to good jobs. Meanwhile, states like New York and California remain stuck in the past, burdening workers with rigid mandates, inflated wage floors, and entrenched union favoritism.
With a comprehensive, 50-state analysis, the report provides lawmakers with a clear blueprint for modernizing labor laws and unleashing economic potential. It also empowers advocates and citizens with the tools to advance a future where every American is free to work, grow, and thrive—no matter where they live.
The American Legislative Exchange Council equips state leaders to create a better America through an unwavering commitment to the principles of limited government, free markets, and federalism.
