3 Things To Know: Hotel Workers’ Strike, Cell Phone Bans in K-12 Schools, and Early Halloween Shopping

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1. Support for labor unions remains high amid hotel worker strike.

More than 10,000 hotel workers from major hotel chains went on strike over Labor Day weekend, protesting stagnant wages and reduced services since the pandemic. The strikes took place in nine cities across the country, including Honolulu, Hawaii. CivicScience consumer polling data found that support for labor unions has largely remained strong in 2024. As of August, 1-in-2 U.S. adults support labor unions in general.

Additional data show that an even greater percentage of Americans support the hotel workers’ strike specifically – 55% support the strike, while just 12% oppose it.¹ Democrats are more than twice as likely to support the strike than Republicans.

Join the Conversation: Have you ever been a member of a labor union?

2. Should cell phone usage in K-12 schools be banned?

With school starting for millions of American children, a hot topic has been school cell phone bans. Four states have legislation regarding cell phones in K-12 schools, and the country’s second-largest school district in Los Angeles recently voted to ban cell phones in school.

More than half of respondents in all age groups believe that K-12 students should only be allowed to use their phones at designated times, while just over a third believe they should be totally banned. Gen Z is the least likely to support bans or restrictions on cell phone usage in schools.

3. ‘Summerween’ shopping is going strong as October approaches.

Halloween shopping is already underway. CivicScience data found that roughly 4-in-10 Halloween shoppers say they start shopping before October, with lower-income households being the most likely to get a head start.

What items are tracking among early shoppers this year? Data show the majority of people who plan to shop for Halloween say they have already made a Halloween decoration purchase, while 46% have purchased Halloween candy. Gen Z shoppers are the most likely of all age groups to have already made a costume purchase.

Let us know: When is it OK to start decorating your home for Halloween?

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