Here is another article about Barbara Ehrenreich's new group, United Professionals. It emphasizes that UP's key strategy will be to unite the concerns of recent college graduates in the business world with those of veterans over 40. Both groups suffer unfairly. Recent college graduates must drain their stagnant entry level salaries to pay off the ever rising debt on their student loans, while white collar workers over 40 are increasingly forced into unemployment by age discrimination. According to Tamara Draut, a co-founder of UP and the author of Strapped: Why America's 20- and 30-Somethings Can't Get Ahead, "It is important to align the two groups...Pitting the generations against each other (as) we often do isn't an effective way to organize, given that many things would benefit both groups."

UP wishes to provide a forum where members can air their views and share their experiences. As Ms. Draut says, "The confluence of similar stories is very important. I've found that I'm not alone, and that's a powerful feeling."

UP needs more members, and it looks like it will get them. The movement is already building steam. Nearly 300 people in the last seven weeks have volunteered to start local chapters. It only costs $36.50 a year to join. I have. Why don't you?

"White-Collar Workers Unite" from In These Times
United Professionals website