Unions
In U.S., Fear of Big Government at Near-Record Level
Democrats lead increase in concerns about big government
December 12, 2011
Two in three Americans (64%) say big government will be the biggest threat to the country, one percentage point lower than the record high, and more than twice the number who say the same about big business (26%). Democrats have led the recent increase in concerns about big government.
New High of 55% of Americans Foresee Labor Unions Weakening
Forty-two percent want unions to have less influence; 30% want more influence
September 1, 2011
A record-high 55% of Americans expect labor unions to become weaker in the future, up nine percentage points from last year. Forty-two percent, tying the high, would prefer that labor unions have less influence in the U.S., while 30% think unions should be more influential.
Approval of Labor Unions Holds Near Its Low, at 52%
Republican, Democratic approval ratings diverge
August 31, 2011
In a year of contentious negotiations between state governments and public employee unions, 52% of Americans approve of labor unions, unchanged from 2010. At the same time, Republicans and Democrats are more sharply divided in their views than they have been over the past decade.
Americans Most Confident in Military, Least in Congress
Confidence in most institutions below their historical average
June 23, 2011
Gallup's annual update on confidence in institutions finds Americans expressing the most confidence in the military and the least in Congress. This year, there has been a slight uptick in Americans' confidence in television news and newspapers, though each ranks in the lower half of the 16 institutions tested.
Americans Trust Governors, Business Leaders Most on Economy
President Obama comes in third, followed by Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress
April 14, 2011
Americans have the most confidence in their state governor and in business leaders to do the right thing for the economy. President Obama comes in third, followed by Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress.
Americans Decry Power of Lobbyists, Corporations, Banks, Feds
Independents agree with GOP that federal government has too much power
April 11, 2011
Americans generally agree that lobbyists, major corporations, banks, and the federal government all have too much power, in contrast with their ratings of six other entities. Republicans and Democrats differ sharply on whether the federal government has too much power -- and even more so on unions.
More Americans Back Unions Than Governors in State Disputes
Nearly 8 in 10 adults in union households are following the issue closely
April 1, 2011
By 48% to 39%, more Americans agree with unions than with governors in the budget battles playing out in various states. Democrats, union members, young adults, and Easterners show the broadest support for unions. A majority of Republicans favor the governors, while many other groups are divided.
Democrats Lead Ranks of Both Union and State Workers
State workers have greatest Democrat-Republican party gap
March 24, 2011
Unionized workers are more likely to be Democrats than Republicans, whether they work for the government or the private sector. State workers are also more likely to be Democrats than are federal, local, or nongovernment workers, regardless of union status.
U.S. Union Workers Score Lower on Work Environment Index
Nongovernment and federal union workers give their work environments the lowest ratings
March 18, 2011
Unionized workers rate their work environments less positively than do nonunionized workers. Federal, state, and local government workers as well as those in the private sector who belong to a union are less likely to feel like their supervisor is a partner and that they work in a trusting, open environment.
Scaling Back State Programs Is Least of Three Fiscal Evils
Less objectionable than reducing state worker pay or benefits, increasing taxes
February 22, 2011
Not one of three major ways states can reduce their budget deficits is popular with Americans, but "reducing or eliminating certain state programs" generates the least opposition. Slightly more than half of Americans, 53%, oppose cutting the pay and benefits of state workers, and 7 in 10 oppose raising state taxes.
Related Items
Congress Ranks Last in Confidence in Institutions
July 22, 2010
Americans Still Most Confident in Obama on Economy
April 19, 2010
Labor Unions See Sharp Slide in U.S. Public Support
September 3, 2009
Majority Receptive to Law Making Union Organizing Easier
March 17, 2009
Americans Remain Broadly Supportive of Labor Unions
December 1, 2008
Clinton as Dominant Among Union Members as Non-Members
September 20, 2007
Sixty Percent of Americans Approve of Labor Unions
August 31, 2007
