Youth and Unions

All workers have good reason to want to form a union. For young workers, the reasons are all the more compelling.

• If young workers are fortunate enough to find a job at all, it's likely to be in the only growing part of the labour market -- low-paying, insecure, non-union jobs. The only way to improve wages, benefits and working conditions is by forming unions and negotiating improvements.
  
  
• Being on the job threatens the safety and future of young workers. Here's the list of five most common injuries for young workers:
  
  
  • sprains and strains (including back injuries)
  • soft tissue injuries (cuts, punctures, bruises)
  • bone fractures
  • inflammation of joints
  • burns or scalds
    
  
  
• High education costs mean that workers are pressed to find scarce jobs and hold them down while studying just to cover rising college and university tuitions and crushing student debts.