College Grads Turn to Unions Amid Tough Job Market

Faced with underemployment, some young workers find activism through labor organizing

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:41pm

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A minimalist studio still life photograph featuring a stack of college diplomas, a laptop, and a union membership card arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, symbolizing the evolving relationship between higher education and the labor market.As the job market remains challenging for many college graduates, some are finding purpose and activism through labor organizing.NYC Today

A new book by New York Times labor reporter Noam Scheiber explores how some college-educated Americans, unable to find jobs that match their credentials, have turned to unionizing retail, service, and other working-class roles as a way to channel their disappointment into concrete action. The book profiles a range of workers, from Starbucks baristas to aspiring screenwriters, who have become involved in union drives.

Why it matters

The book's thesis - that a 'college-educated working class' is emerging as a dynamic force for progressive change - speaks to broader debates around the role of higher education, the changing nature of work, and the future of the labor movement. It also reflects growing concerns about underemployment and the mismatch between qualifications and available jobs, especially for recent graduates.

The details

In 'Mutiny,' Scheiber tells the story of Teddy Hoffman, a graduate of the prestigious Grinnell College who, after a prestigious Watson Fellowship, returned home to pursue a career in theater. Unable to land the kind of job his college mentor had envisioned, Hoffman instead found himself working at an Apple store and becoming involved in union organizing efforts.

  • Teddy Hoffman graduated from Grinnell College in 2014.
  • Hoffman was awarded a Watson Fellowship after college and traveled the world.
  • Hoffman returned home and began working at an Apple store, where he became involved in union organizing.

The players

Noam Scheiber

A veteran labor reporter at the New York Times and the author of the book 'Mutiny.'

Teddy Hoffman

A graduate of Grinnell College in 2014 who, unable to find the theater career his college mentor had envisioned, instead worked at an Apple store and became involved in union organizing efforts.

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What they’re saying

“Joining a union, or helping to create one, channels your disappointment into something concrete and potentially beneficial.”

— Noam Scheiber, Author

The takeaway

The book 'Mutiny' highlights how the mismatch between college credentials and available jobs is driving some young, educated workers to find purpose and activism through labor organizing, potentially shaping the future of the labor movement.