Unions and Upward Mobility for Young Workers

Publication Date:

Publisher: Center for Economic and Policy Research

Author(s): John Schmitt

Research Area: Labor

Keywords: Health insurance; Personal wealth; Household income

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

This report uses national data from the Current Population Survey (CPS) to show that unionization raises the wages of the typical young worker by 12.4 percent compared to their non-union peers. The study goes on to show that unionization also increases the likelihood that a young worker will have health insurance and a pension. The study also notes that despite being better educated, this age cohort earns 10% less than did their counterparts in 1979.