Despite being better educated, young workers have fallen farther behind over the past 30 years.  For many young people, union membership is the key to a better future.

A new report by the Center for Economic and Policy Research shows that unionization raises the pay of young workers by about $1.75 an hour.  The report, "Unions and Upward mobility for Young Workers," found that young unionized workers – those ages 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.  The full report can be found here.

"Younger workers need to unionize," said Council 5’s Organizing Director Eric Lehto, who is 33.  "Young people don’t have to be poorly paid or go without benefits."  If you’d like to organize your workplace with AFSCME, call 651-450-4990 and ask to speak with an organizer.