Seventy-one percent of Americans now approve of Labor Unions. The data comes from Gallup’s annual Work and Education survey. That number ties the 1965 figure of 71% support. The poll began in 1936 and recorded the highest support for Labor Unions in 1953 and 1957 surveys with a 75% approval rating for unions.
The most recent rating comes amid a flurry of 2022 Union victories across the country, with highly visible successes at major companies such as Amazon and Starbucks. The National Labor Relations Board reported a 57% increase in Union Election Petitions filed during the first six months of fiscal year 2021.
Support for Union dipped below the 50% mark once, in 2009 and now sits at a level last seen nearly 60 years ago.
Democrats supported unions by 89% and Republicans were at 58%, while Independents were at 68%.
“Better pay and benefits” was the top reason (65%) unionists gave for joining up, followed by worker rights and representation (57%), job security (42%), better pensions and retirement benefits (34%), a better work environment (25%), fairness and equality at work (23%) and health and safety protections (9%).
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler applauded the results, which she said reflect increased enthusiasm and organizing.
“After a year of victorious strikes, record union election filings and relentless efforts from corporate billionaires to silence workers, today comes as no surprise. Working people recognize the need for a collective voice—and it shows. We are stronger in a union,” Shuler declared.
When we fight together, we WIN together!
This story was originally published on the previous website for The Labor Beacon. The content of each story from the orginal website has been preserved, but the formatting has not.
