Are labor unions falling out of favor? It seems that way
September 24, 2009 by Christian SchappelPosted in: In this week's e-newsletter - benefits, Latest News & Views
The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) may not as big a threat as we thought.
Currently, the number of Americans who approve of unions is at an all-time low, and the majority of people are now saying unions hurt the economy.
Only 48% of Americans approve of labor unions — down from 59% a year ago, found a recent Gallup Poll.
That’s the least amount of support unions have received since Gallup started the annual poll in 1937 — just after Congress passed the National Labor Relations Act, giving most private-sector workers the right to join unions.
The highest approval rate unions ever received: 75% in 1957. The lowest — until now: 55% in 1979 and 1981.
News gets worse for unions
In another knock against unions, the percentage of people saying unions hurt the company where workers are organized rose to 46%. In nearly every other poll opinions were heavily skewed to the positive for unions.
There was an even larger jump in the percentage of people (51%) who said unions mostly hurt the U.S. economy. This marks the first time more Americans have said unions hurt the economy more than help it.
Signs of hope for some employers
These results come as a breath of fresh air for employers feeling threatened by the prospect of the EFCA’s passage.
But even if it makes it into law, there appears to be a dwindling number of Americans who feel unions are playing a positive role in the economy.
Tags: congress, economy, EFCA, Employee Free Choice Act, Gallup, Labor Unions, National Labor Relations Act, unions
October 6th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Unions have their place in history. But for most of us, it appears that contemporary unions have jacked up the prices of the goods we buy and provided no other benefit to those of us who are not members. Many of us feel lucky to still have a job, let alone one that provides excessive benefits and unwarranted job security. Because the unions have made demands that increase my cost of living, I am not a supporter.
October 19th, 2009 at 8:02 am
Although public opinion may be turning against unions there is a lot going on of which the average American citizen is not aware–the Democratic Congress and Senate are beholden to unions who gave a lot of campaign money in exchange for promises to unions. Unions now expect those law makers to respond in kind. On top of that the three open seats on the five-person National Labor Relations Board are being filled with pro-labor union people. How the Board interprets the National Labor Relations Act is often far more important than the laws that put the NLR Act into existence. In addition, if the Employee Free Choice Act, which will take its turn in the Congressional merry-go-round once the healthcare bill is passed, has elements in it that could fundamentally alter how unions are formed, making it easier to create a union. One of the aspects of EFCA is to remove the current ability of the employer to meet with employees during election notice time to explain their position to employees. There is nothing democratic about EFCA, which seeks to make it possible for unions to force employees to listen only to their side. If anyone in this country thinks that unions use gentle, above board, respectful tactics in getting unpersuaded employees to vote for unions, then I’d like to introduce you to the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, and the Tooth Fairy.