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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency services, May 11 Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax Frohnmayer, 74, dies; tributes pour in What you'll find at the growers markets this week St. Mary's reaches out to China Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, May 11 Police reports Medford police use anti-overdose nasal spray to revive heroin victim Emergency Services, March 10 Medford man arrested for growing marijuana Politics and Elections Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Ashland: Budget increase, swimming pool funding discussion on council agenda Judge upholds Phoenix's moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out Friday Brown's inauguration brings hope to local lawmakers Education St. Mary's reaches out to China Work your body to save your braaaaains Inert grenade spurred White Mountain Middle School evacuation Willow Wind students raise money for water District considers options to keep school tracks open, safe Environment Low snow closes Mt. Ashland bunny hill chairlift DEQ issues fines over illegal White City dumping site Catastrophic wildfires expected in Southern Oregon this summer The new normal under climate change? Lost Creek Lake algae bloom subsides State News Oregon lawmakers grapple over daylight saving time Japan releases Oregonian held for 18 days over prescription Feds ban new commercial fishing for forage fish Firefighting plan aims to protect Western habitat Wyoming Legislature aims to support Northwest coal terminals with $1 billion in bonds Nation - World Obituaries Norma Catherine Morgan Marlene Milliron (Smock) Monica Louise Revel William F. Christofferson Death Notices Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories North Medford downs Klamath Argentina probes copter wreck as France mourns Gonzaga trips BYU for 14th WCC title James fuels Cavs in rout of Mavs Blair plays four tours to earn PGA card Varsity 541 College Sports Gonzaga trips BYU for 14th WCC title Beaver QB race down to three players Ducks prep for multiple foes Raiders out to end drought in NAIA tourney SOU lands tough draw in opener at nationals Pro Sports James fuels Cavs in rout of Mavs Blair plays four tours to earn PGA card Race safety measures become hot topic Wheeler-dealer Kelly trades Foles for Bradford Trades steal spotlight from free agents Community Sports Business Latest Stories Jackson County jobless rate falls to 7.7 percent Blog: Manufacturing leads Oregon's export expansion Disruptive forces: Coming to a business near you Four Rogue Valley companies make business magazine's top-100 list Blog: Cash deals for homes remains in decline Real Estate News Business briefs: March 7 New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business: Feb. 28 People in Business Transportation CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Medford airport flies past January record Agriculture Harry & David announces new president Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Opinion Latest Our View: Medford council shouldn't over-regulate backyard pot gardens Letters to the Editor, March 11 Kathleen Parker: Adolescent senators dunking the president Landgren cartoon: Farewell to circus elephants Landgren cartoon: Potholes Editorials Our View: Atkins a safe choice for secretary of state Our View: Driving voter turnout is no sure thing for Oregon Our View: Cheers and Jeers Our View: Take it slow on legal marijuana Our View: Small climate steps add up to big ones Letters to the Editor Our View: Medford council shouldn't over-regulate backyard pot gardens Letters to the Editor, March 11 Letters to the Editor, March 10 Letters to the Editor, March 9 Letters to the Editor, March 8 Columns Kathleen Parker: Adolescent senators dunking the president Kent Bush: Things will never change unless we change them Michael Gerson: Viewing Ferguson from Selma — and fixing it Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report Kathleen Parker: 'Just look at him' Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling Guest Opinion: Don't overregulate Oregon's hemp industry Guest Opinion: Predatory banking practices bilk citizens Guest Opinion: Is less education the answer? Lifestyle Latest stories 5 Things to Do This Weekend (March 13-15) Dear Monty: Successful rezoning property requires a plan Lost in Suburbia: Fifty shades of dirty dog Dave Ramsey: The problem with being impulsive Can't beet cold-weather crops Food Serra storms Seattle Food for Thought: Spice up dinner with shrimp Community blog: Chocolate festival winners came from near and far Prudence Hilburn: Cookbook compiler finds best of the best in Southern recipes Gail Ciampa: Garlicky mushrooms star in fresh layered sandwich Home and Garden Dear Monty: Successful rezoning property requires a plan Garden Cameos: Time to give your garden a new look Carol Link: Eradicate weeds completely, use edgers to help keep thrift on slope Paul Rogers: Daylight Saving, full moon hopeful signs for spring Home Help: 4 ways to redefine your outdoor space Health Community blog: The Future is Now Dr. Murray Feingold: Cognitive-behavioral therapy shown to help hoarders Dr. Jeff Hersh: Gallstones affect 25 percent of American women Health Watch: Get prepped for spring break HealthStyle: Marriage care and maintenance Hiking Biking Faith More religion events in the Rogue Valley Religion Briefs Religion briefs, Feb. 27 Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Religion News: Pope makes surprise shantytown visit Milestones and Achievements Exercise helps special-needs kids adjust to airport procedures Engagement: Workman-Wright Anniversary: Hofer Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories OSF Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic Zepdrix! 'Shook, Rattled and Rolled' Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Live Music in Local Clubs Darrin Wayne steps to the plate at Rising Stars Theater TMTO's 'Bye Bye Birdie' takes flight Brava! Opera presents classic Mozart and Poulenc Review: 'Fingersmith' a twisting thriller with love TMTO presents 'Bye Bye Birdie' 'Guys and Dolls' a sure bet for dazzling entertainment Music Zepdrix! 'Shook, Rattled and Rolled' ZEPDRIX! at the Historic Ashland Armory The Bee Eaters play Headwaters Ladysmith Black Mambazo plays the Craterian Theater Live Music in Local Clubs Community Events OSF Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Third Fridays showcases local artists Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Dining Serra storms Seattle Sakura Japanese Sushi Restaurant opens in new location Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 1 Great Outdoor Grill offers healthful options Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Our View: Medford council shouldn't over-regulate backyard pot gardens ... Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax ... Frohnmayer, 74, dies; tributes pour in ... Our View: Medford council shouldn't over-regulate backyard pot gardens ... Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax ... Frohnmayer, 74, dies; tributes pour in ... OREGON LEGISLATURE Oregon House OKs bill to allow workers to discuss wages Comment By Sheila V. Kumar The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Sheila V. Kumar The Associated Press Posted Mar. 4, 2015 at 2:00 AM By Sheila V. Kumar The Associated Press Posted Mar. 4, 2015 at 2:00 AM » Social News SALEM — House lawmakers narrowly passed a bill Tuesday prohibiting employers from punishing employees who ask other employees about what they are paid, part of a package of bills designed to close the wage gap between male and female workers. Employees who want to discuss wage information with their peers are not protected from disciplinary action under current law, said bill sponsor Rep. Shemia Fagan, D-Clackamas. Comparing pay can help employees make judgments on whether they are being treated fairly, Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries Commissioner Brad Avakian has said. But Fagan says studies show women in particular are wary of discussing or inquiring about raises or salaries out of concern they might be disciplined. "This is a simple and modest first step to making sure that Oregon women earn equal pay for equal work," she said. Legislators opposed to the proposal argue it could damage the relationship between employers and employees while sowing seeds of discontent and distrust amongst coworkers. Others worried it could impede employers from firing workers for other reasons, who could then retaliate by suing them under the guise of wage protection. "Employers need to be freed up to do business without the boot of government on its neck," said Rep. Greg Barreto, R-Cove. More than 15 business associations — including the Associated Oregon Industries, the Oregon Bankers Association and the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce — signed a letter urging legislators to vote no on the bill. A report by the Oregon Council on Civil Rights, an advisory board appointed by the state's labor commissioner, found Oregonian women were paid 79 cents for every dollar their male counterparts earned. The wage transparency bill is part of a package addressing formal recommendations the council made to tackle pay inequality. The other measure addressing the wage gap would make it illegal to pay men and women different wages for doing comparable jobs. That bill is awaiting a vote in a House committee. Avakian testified during a public hearing on the bill in February that some employers continue to discipline employees for talking about their earnings, and this is a serious barrier for equal pay. "It is much harder to find out if you are being paid fairly if you can't talk to your coworkers. And if you can't find out how your pay compares to others who do the same work, you can't advocate to be paid equally," Avakian said. The bill passed the House 34-24. It now heads to the Senate for consideration. By Sheila V. Kumar The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Sheila V. 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