Young Workers Earn More With Unions (10/20/08)

A new study by the Center for Economic and Policy Research shows that while younger workers are earning less as a whole - 10 percent less than their counterparts did as a whole in 1979 - they earn more and receive more benefits than their peers when they have a union.

 The report, "Unions and Upward Mobility for Young Workers," found that young unionized workers - those age 18 to 29 - earned, on average, 12.4 percent more than their non-union peers. In addition, young workers in unions were much more likely to have health insurance benefits and a pension plan.

 "Younger workers are finding what their parents and grandparents learned, that unions are the best way for people entering the workforce to earn fair pay and benefits," RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum said. "At a time when younger workers are earning less than they did three decades ago, a union voice is more important than ever when it comes to leveling the playing field."