Support for Labor Unions Remains High Gallup Poll Shows
The most recent Gallup poll reveals that public support for labor unions continues to be strong, with 70 percent of Americans expressing approval. This figure is just one percentage point below the record-high approval of 71 percent reached in 2022.
The survey highlights that 23 percent of Americans disapprove of labor unions, while 7 percent remain undecided. Gallup has been tracking labor union approval since 1936, with the peak support of 75 percent recorded in the 1950s. The lowest level of support, 48 percent, occurred in 2009 following the Great Recession.
Approval of unions shows significant variation across political affiliations. Approximately 94 percent of Democrats support labor unions, a 6-point increase from the previous year. In contrast, 49 percent of Republicans and 67 percent of independents share this sentiment.
The poll, conducted between August 1 and August 20, coincided with both the Republican and Democratic conventions, where labor union representation was notable. As the November elections approach, both major party candidates, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, are actively seeking to attract union voters.
The Gallup survey involved telephone interviews with a random sample of 1,015 adults aged 18 and older in the U.S. The margin of error is 4 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level.
Labor leaders take note.
Leaders now have the positive attention of a majority of the nation’s workforce. Now is the time to reinvest in tools and training to streamline your intake and organizing efforts to reach and welcome these new believers. Tools like UnionTrack ENGAGE can benefit small Locals up to large Internationals with our comprehensive engagement platform and member management tools.
