Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Oregon's Persistent Unemployment Problem
Date:
December 4, 2009 - 12:15pm - 1:15pm
Speaker(s):
Art Ayre, Employment Economist, Oregon Employment Department With joblessness over eleven percent, Oregon’s unemployment rate is among the highest in the nation. But even in years of rapid job growth, unemployment in Oregon often remains above the national average.
On December 4, City Club welcomes Oregon State Employment Economist Art Ayre, who will elaborate upon the numerous reasons why Oregon faces such consistent employment challenges.
He will discuss likely causes, which include: declines in the wood products sector; seasonal employment — and unemployment — in agriculture and manufacturing; an attractive urban culture and recreational opportunities that draw people to Portland despite limited jobs; and the comparatively small size of the labor market which leads to more restrictive job selection.
Art Ayre is State Employment Economist for the Oregon Employment Department, where he analyzes statewide employment trends and helps other state agencies understand these trends. He recently co-authored Oregon at Work: 1859-2009, a book about changing labor force patterns in Oregon over the past 150 years.
