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	More than 60% of workers age 16-24 work in the nation's service sector. In San Francisco, the Young Workers United successfully fought for a raise in the minimum wage. With their efforts, it jumped to $8.50 an hour. Unionized young workers earn 12.4 percent more in wages or $1.75 more per hour Unionized young workers are 24 percent more likely to have a pension plan Unionized women workers earn 11.2 percent more in wages or $2.00 more per hour than non-union women workers. Unionized women workers are 19 percent more likely to have employer-provided health insurance than non-union women workers. For the average woman, joining a union increases her probability of having health insurance more than finishing a four-year college degree would. Service sector workers in unions are about 19 percentage points more likely to have health insurance than those not in unions For service sector workers in low-wage occupations, unionization raises wages by over 15%. Unionized service sector workers in low-wage occupations are 26 percent more likely to have health insurance and 23 percent more likely to be in a pension plan. On average, unionization raises service sector workers' wages by over 10% – about $2.00 per hour For workers in the 15 lowest-paying occupations – ranging from maintenance workers to teachers’ assistants– unionization raises wages by just over 16% or about $1.75 per hour Union workers in the 15 lowest-wage occupations are 25% more likely to have health insurance than similar non-union workers in the same occupations. Unionized Latino workers earn 17.6 percent more in wages or $2.60 more per hour than non-union Latinos. Latinos are also the fastest growing group in the labor movement. In 1983 they accounted for 6 percent of the unionized workers. By 2007 they represented almost 12 percent. Unionized Latino workers are 27 percent more likely to have a pension plan than similar non-union Latinos. Unionization has raised black workers' wages 12 percent --about $2.00 per hour Unionized African-American workers are about 16 percentage points more likely to have health insurance and about 19 percentage points more likely to have a pension than their nonunion counterparts. For the typical U.S. worker – right in the middle of the national pay scale – unionization raises wages about 14%. Unionization raises the likelihood of having health insurance or a pension by over 25 percentage points for younger workers. For low-wage workers, unionization raises wages about 21% Immigrant workers in unions were 50 percent more likely to have employer- provided health insurance and almost twice as likely to have an employer-provided pension plan than immigrant workers who were not in unions. Among immigrant workers in the 15 lowest-paying occupations, union members earned almost 20 percent more per hour than those workers who were not in unions. On average, unionization raised immigrants’ wages by 17 percent – about $2.00 per hour.

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FAQs

Your union contract as well as federal and state laws guarantee that your rights are respected while you’re at work. Here are some Rights at work FAQs-

My boss keeps hitting on me. Isn’t this illegal? What can I do?

I’m in high school, and I never seem to have time to do my homework because my employer is always asking me to stay late. Can they do that?

I punched out for the night yesterday, but before I made it to my car, my boss said that they really needed help restocking, and asked me to pitch in off the clock. Is that legal?

Recently, my boss has been asking me to work with some machines that I don’t feel safe around. What are my options?

Our new manager has started making all the people of color work in the back room. He also has been saying some really racist stuff. What can we do to make him stop?

I’m going to have a baby, and my boss has started asking me when I’ll be leaving work. My doctor says that I can keep working for months. Do I have to leave work now? Will my job be there when I get back?

My child is really sick, and I want to take some time off work, can I do that?

My boss keeps hitting on me. Isn’t this illegal? What can I do?

You’re right, it is illegal, and you can make it stop.

Sexual harassment is when a boss or supervisor conditions some aspect of your job on your submission to his (or her) sexual advances. Also, unwanted verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature can constitute sexual harassment if it creates a hostile work environment. Both males and females can experience sexual harassment, and both are protected by law.

This illegal activity could include unwanted pressure for dates, sexual favors or actual or attempted sexual assault. Also behavior such as unwanted touching, hugging, sexual jokes, slurs, profanity, gestures, asking personal questions, and spreading rumors about your social or sex life could constitute illegal harassment if sufficiently severe or pervasive.

You don’t have to put up with this, especially if it’s from a manager. Talk to your union rep or the person your company has appointed to investigate complaints. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s goal is to eliminate illegal discrimination from the workplace for all workers. The EEOC’s website for youth in the workforce, contains helpful info on sexual harassment and discrimination as well as instructions on how to file a complaint.

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I’m in high school, and I never seem to have time to do my homework because my employer is always asking me to stay late. Can they do that?

If you’re under 16, federal laws protect you from working long hours - particularly when school is in session. If you’re 14 or 15, even more restrictions apply. Rules on hours can vary from state to state. Check out this website to find your states’ restrictions.

If you’re in high school, you probably needed to get a work permit. (Your school’s administration should be able to help you get one.) This work permit not only lets have a job, but also tells you what times you’ll be allowed to work. Let your union or school know if your employer is breaking the law.

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I punched out for the night yesterday, but before I made it to my car, my boss said that they really needed help restocking, and asked me to pitch in off the clock. Is that legal?

NO! Both Federal laws and your union contract protect you from having to complete in job-related duties off the clock. You must be paid for all the time you work. You should report the incident to your union rep or shop steward immediately.

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Recently, my boss has been asking me to work with some machines that I don’t feel safe around. What are my options?

Regardless of age, every worker has the right to a safe and healthy workplace. People under the age of 18 are prohibited from operating most machinery, for example, paper balers and compacters and your employer must tell you if any chemicals used could be harmful to your health.

Talk to your shop steward or union rep if you don’t feel safe at work.

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Our new manager has started making all the people of color work in the back room. He also has been saying some really racist stuff. What can we do to make him stop?

You’re right – this kind of behavior is wrong, and illegal. Workers are protected from job discrimination by law, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. This law also prohibits workplace harassment such as repeated, severe and pervasive ethnic slurs.

Step one is talking to your union rep or shop steward. You may need to file a complaint with the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (the EEOC). To find out more about filing a complaint visit the EEOC's website for young workers.

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First of all, Congratulations on the new addition to your family! The law protects your rights at work while pregnant. You can remain on the job as long as you’re able to perform the work. The employer must hold open a job for a pregnancy-related absence as long as jobs are normally held open for workers on sick or disability leave. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act bans the employer from terminating, demoting or disciplining a worker because of her pregnancy.

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My child is really sick, and I want to take some time off work, can I do that?

In most cases, yes, your job is protected! The federal Family and Medical Leave Act provides workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid and job-protected leave for certain family and medical reasons in most places of work. Your union contract might provide additional time or compensation. Check with your union rep or shop steward.

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