80% of workers living paycheck to paycheck could partially explain why more consumers haven't bought bitcoin:
The majority of workers are unable to collect sufficient disposable income to invest in crypto currencies.
This could mean that future economic improvment, better job markets and wage hikes could be correlated with a rise in the userbase and crypto holdings. That's assuming that 80% of workers living paycheck to paycheck is preventing many who would like to buy bitcoin from purchasing due to monetary and wage constraints.
Also note this piece while containing good info and a good historical overview was authored by a berekeley economist in liberal california who could be resorting to FUD to mislead people into unfairly blaming Trump for everything.
The article is interesting in terms of the union issues. It seems to be a classic case of corporate greed. They'll pay the least they possible can to their employees. If the government would let them pay less, they would. Luckily, there are few companies, who realize that you can have more success, if you treat your people right, but they seem to be few and far between. I hope people can fight back again in the future.
I think the really probably though is the culture of consumerism. People are living from paycheck to paycheck, no matter what their salary, because 80% of the people around them are doing the same thing. It's normal for some reason. No matter what you make, you can live below your means. That is the key.