Labor Landscape in 2026
Concerns over affordability are top of mind for many Americans. A recent New York Times/Sienna University poll gives some context to what this means, suggesting that "affordability" is about, "the rising price of entry for a middle-class life: buying a home; paying for child care, college and health care; saving for retirement, and so on."
As prices for things like food, gas and utilities swing wildly, those concerns don't appear to be dissipating. In years past, when the cost of living outpaced a rise in wages, a higher percentage of the population had the option of banding together to negotiate pay increases through their labor unions. Union membership peaked in 1954, with nearly 35% of all U.S. wage and salary workers belonging to unions, according to the Congressional Research Service.
But with overall union membership at just 10% today, and at an all-time low of 5.9% in the private sector, what recourse do workers have amid rising costs?
And what about concerns other than the size of your paycheck compared to the cost of living? For example, many workers are also worried about the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence and how that will impact the labor market.
Could pushing back against AI unite both blue and white collar workers?
Will this current generation of political leaders come up with solutions for the benefit of the working class?
We'll look at the labor landscape for the first part of Monday's "Sound of Ideas" in the latest installment of our "Law of The Land" series where we look at how the law affects our everyday lives.
Guests:
- Noam Scheiber, Labor Reporter, New York Times; Author, "Mutiny: The Rise and Revolt of the College-Educated Working Class"
- Grace Heffernan, Executive Director, Northeast Ohio Worker Center
- Yanela Sims, Ohio State Director, SEIU Local 1
Adult Education at Seeds of Literacy
If an adult has trouble reading, life might become more difficult for that person in ways that aren't obvious. It might be hard getting where you need to go if you're not familiar with the directions. Reading a menu could be problematic, if there aren't pictures alongside descriptions. Beyond inconvenience, it can become a health problem if you can't understand medical instructions on a prescription from a doctor. And it could impact your access to pretty much everything, if it stops you from applying for a job.
In Cuyahoga County, 54% of adults are reading below a proficient level, according to data analyzed by the . This is a problem the non-profit organization Seeds of Literacy has been working to address for nearly 30 years by providing free education to adults in the greater Cleveland area.
Later, we'll hear about the programs offered by Seeds of Literacy, and the change they've seen in terms of need and results ahead of their " on May 16.
Guests:
- Tina Weaver, Student, Seeds of Literacy
- Jane Bohne, Tutor, Seeds of Literacy
- Bonnie Entler, CEO, Seeds of Literacy
