failure of college kids and blue-collar workers

[Richard Fiero]

  "the failure of college kids and blue-collar workers to get 
together politically"

There's something really wrong with that statement because it 
make no sense at all. I've seen it several times and have 
ignored it each time because I'm willing to give Mr. Pynchon a 
lot of slack and excuse an occasional lame remark.
Now I'm not so sure it's lame but what does it really say, if anything.
Which blue-collar workers? Both unionized and scab? Would that 
be basically manufacturing and construction or shall grocery 
clerks and postal workers be included?
Which college kids?