This Labor Day, nearly one in three young workers will be at work. This statistic is just one symptom of a far deeper economic reality for workers younger than 35.
The AFL-CIO report, "Young Workers: A Lost Decade," shows that not only have young workers lost financial ground over the past 10 years—they have also lost some of their optimism.
- More than one in three young workers say they are currently living at home with their parents.
- 31 percent of young workers reports being uninsured, up from 24 percent without health insurance coverage 10 years ago.
- One-third of young workers cannot pay the bills and seven in 10 do not have enough saved to cover two months of living expenses.
Based on a nationwide survey of 1,156 people by Peter D. Hart Research Associates for the AFL-CIO and the AFL-CIO community affiliate Working America, "Young Workers" examines young workers’ economic standing, attitudes and hopes for the future. It also draws a comparison with findings from a similar 1999 AFL-CIO study, as well as with attitudes of workers older than 35.
Overall, young workers have a clear vision for reinvigorating the economy, and it’s largely summed up by one four-letter word—JOBS. But few trust their own employer to do what’s best for employees. Even fewer have confidence in corporate America as a whole. When asked who is most responsible for the country’s economic woes, close to 60 percent of young workers place the blame on Wall Street and banks or corporate CEOs.
Click here for a list of progressive youth organizations.
