The results of a new poll show nearly half of Americans think the impact of the long-term decline of labor unions is mostly a good thing.
The Pew Research Center survey finds that 43 percent of U.S. citizens feel the decline of unionized workers in the past 20 years is mostly a good thing for Americans as a whole. Forty-five percent think the opposite.
The numbers are slightly different when talking about working Americans, with 40 percent saying it's mostly good and 52 percent responding it's mostly bad for American workers.
Despite these findings, 48 percent of people surveyed hold a favorable view of labor unions, while 39 percent have an unfavorable opinion of them.
Other highlights from the poll:
- 62 percent of Republicans think the decline of unions is a good thing for the country, with just 30 percent of Democrats saying so
- People making less than $30,000 a year have the most favorable view on labor unions in terms of family income (54 percent), with the lowest support (44 percent) occurring in the $30,000-$74,999 demographic
- Right-leaning Americans serve as the demographic with the least favorable view of unions, with just 31 percent holding a favorable opinion of them
- Union support varies within right-leaning Americans, with 24 percent of 50+ year-olds holding a favorable view and 45 percent of 18-34-year-olds holding the same opinion
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who is reportedly mulling a run for president on the Republican ticket, recently showed his anti-union support
by signing a law that prevents unions from collecting dues from non-members.
Last month, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and other potential GOP candidates for president
pushed for union support during a Washington, D.C. forum.
Unions, meanwhile,
have been vocal critics of President Barack Obama's plans to enter the U.S. into a complex trade agreement with Asia-Pacific countries.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.