New Polls Find Support For Public Employee Unions

WASHINGTON -- As protests continue over the proposal by Gov. Scott Walker (R) to strip collective bargaining rights from public employees in Wisconsin, two new independent national media surveys released Monday night find Americans taking the side of organized labor.

A survey conducted by the Pew Research Center includes a single question on the Wisconsin controversy:

From what you've read or heard about the dispute between Wisconsin's governor and public employee unions over collective bargaining rights, do you side more with the governor [or] the public employee unions?

More side with the unions (42 percent) than with the governor (31 percent), with more than a quarter choosing neither side (9 percent) or unsure (18 percent). That's roughly the same result as another Pew survey taken earlier this month that found Americans typically side with public unions (44 percent) rather than state or local governments (38 percent) when the two disagree.

A second survey conducted by CBS News and The New York Times asks a series of questions on unions and the Wisconsin dispute, including a question on the issue of collective bargaining rights. Since that concept may be unfamiliar to many Americans, the CBS/NYT pollsters provide a brief description:

As you may know, collective bargaining refers to negotiations between an employer and a labor union's members to determine the conditions of employment. Some states are trying to take away some of the collective bargaining rights of public employee unions. Do you favor or oppose taking away some of the collective bargaining rights of these unions? IF FAVOR OR OPPOSE: Do you favor/oppose that strongly or somewhat?

They found 60 percent opposed to taking away collective bargaining as described, 33 percent in favor and 7 percent uncertain. Strong opposition to efforts to remove collective bargaining on this survey also exceeds strong support by better than two to one (38 percent to 18 percent).

While previous polls on collective bargaining rights have been rare, a USA Today/Gallup survey last week left the term undefined, leading to criticism from a Republican pollster that some respondents might interpret the word "rights" too broadly. But even without the additional description offered by the CBS/NYT poll, Gallup obtained a virtually identical result: 33 percent favored a proposal "to take away some of the collective bargaining rights of most public unions," 61 percent opposed it and 6 percent percent were undecided.

However, as the Times reports, "labor unions are not exactly popular." Only a third of Americans (33 percent) rate unions in general favorably, while (25 percent) rate them unfavorably when also offered the option of saying they are undecided (19 percent) or have not heard enough to have an opinion (23 percent).

Moreover, only 39 percent say they have heard "a lot" about "the recent efforts in many states to reduce state budget deficits by cutting the benefits of public employees" (33 percent have heard some, 26 percent not much or nothing). Not surprisingly, Americans paying a lot of attention to these efforts are greatest in union households (56 percent) and households with a public employee (46 percent).

So while majorities back labor rights when prompted on the CBS/NYT survey, the dropoff in attention helps explain why support for public employee unions in Wisconsin in the Pew Research survey falls short of a majority.

Comments

[golfvue3]

07:55 PM on 03/06/2011

Collective barganing isn't a "right".

The question pre-supposes it is - and who is going to answer - yes to taking away peoples' rights?

Poorly phrased question.

[danielboone]

01:54 AM on 03/04/2011

So what is wrong with these polls? They are flawed! They are slanted in favor of the Unions and Democrats. Some of these polls ask adults rather than Likely Voters. Some just ask Registered voters but heavily sample the Democrats and lighter on the Republicans and Independents!

[Victoria Rogers]

01:52 AM on 03/04/2011

I really do support the protesters for what they are doing. There should not be a law put into place preventing union workers for bargaining. Without this ability companies can cut wages, prevent workers from having days off, and even lower safety standards. Like during the Industrial Revolution the owners of companies would have all the power and employees unwilling to accept their working conditions could easily be fired and replaced. The protesters obviously see this and because they care about the nations jobs and politics they are standing up. More people really should be involved in the politics that impact us all.

[Cindy Simmons]

08:46 PM on 03/02/2011

Americans are fighting for their lives. The rich corporation heads like the Koch brothers and
the republicans that work for them are fighting for more money, control and complete
deregulation.
NAZI TEA BAG SOCIOPATHS SAY " A living wage, days off, workers comp, pensions, they
are just as unimportant as clean drinking water, safe food, education, healthcare and
services for the destitute."
What is important? Allowing corps like Walmart to underpay their workers, fire them at will
while making billions in profit and not paying a single penny in taxes.
Suddenly, now that we have a black president, anything that helps people is anti-American.
But it's very American to let coal mines or oil companies kill people and let wall street
destroy the country, to give unneeded tax cuts to big business while slashing the pay of
workers making less than 50 grand a year.
For the worthless and uneducated nothing trumps racism and bigotry. How else can they be
better than someone else? They have nothing...

[Mary1943]

05:11 PM on 03/02/2011

You can cite all the polls, quote all the rhetoric, but the bottom line is that all of you who have jobs right now, whether union or not, owe what you make and your benefits on the bench marks set by unions and their collective bargaining rights. This also includes safer working conditions. And before you complain about what you do make and the benefits you do or don't get just remember that corporation lobbyists have been working against you for at least 30 years ever since Ronald Reagan broke the Air Controllers union. It's your right to protest and if you don't, you have no one but yourselves to blame if you end up with jobs that pay less than minimum wage with no benefits. Right now union wages and benefits force non-union companies to offer comparable wages, etc., otherwise no one would apply for those jobs. Most workers in this country have no idea about the history of the labor movement and obviously could care less. If you don't do something about it now you will be so sorry. Forget wasting your energy on debating and use that energy to do something about this situation. You have no idea how really, really serious this situation is. Exercise your constitutional rights before you lose everything. There definitely is strength in numbers.

[Mike55]

07:53 PM on 03/02/2011

I completely agree with everything that Mary1943 has stated so eloquently. If unions are completely eliminated in this country wages,benefits and working conditions will gradually
worsen for almost everyone who works for a living. And as far as strength in numbers goes there must be enough of the top few percent of the population who possess 90% of the wealth to keep it that way. There are also many people who claim to be anti-union who are simply envious and don't realize how unions are benefitting them.

[bigmadd]

08:42 PM on 03/02/2011

this country has been losing there wages benefits and worst working conitions since our unions have gotten weaker if they completely eliminate the unions the down fall of the American Work will be swift and hard

[capercaper]

08:31 PM on 03/02/2011

Mary,

You obviously have no idea how skewed your perspective is.

You are the enemy. And of course, you know that and are reveling in flaunting your perceived power.

Rember, it is PERCEIVED..

[Mary1943]

09:55 AM on 03/03/2011

OUCH! I must have hit a big nerve in you with my comment.
"skewed" no, you misunderstood. I am BIASED in favor of unions.You will be too if they no longer exist. Unless, you are in the top 2% of wealthy in this country you are just another one of us.
"enemy", no, I am not your enemy. Your enemies are those people (your people) who were on the other side of the collective bargaining. If the unions got what you didn't want them to have, then YOUR people are your enemies for letting you down. Go after them.
I have no "percieved power." I realize unions are not perfect, but I also understand the meaning of "don't throw out the baby with the bathwater."
Just look at Egypt, Libya,Jordan, etc. The workers are the ones rebelling because the elite reduced them to slave labor. They are now forcing their governments to change. They are demanding highter wages and health care. Will you be willing to put your life on the line to regain what power you now have if the unions lose? Your power as "we the people." Because that's exactly what will happen AGAIN, in this country to force the greedy nabobs who run corporations to pay fair wages, benefits and provide a safe work place.
Why would any seemingly intelligent adult want to repeat the history of the labor movement again when they can support it now and improve on it? Why?

[butchie65]

06:13 PM on 03/03/2011

Mary is right ! I am 70 years old and have seen a lot in my lifetime. You are your own enemy, caper ! Someday you will wake up, but, undoubtedly it will be to late.

[edwcorey]

04:49 PM on 03/02/2011

"While previous polls on collective bargaining rights have been rare, a USA Today/Gallup survey last week left the term undefined, leading to criticism from a Republican pollster that some respondents might interpret the word 'rights' too broadly."

Republicans always interpret individual rights too narrowly. The only rights they interpret broadly are corporate rights.

[unwashedmasses]

04:20 PM on 03/02/2011

further BREAKING NEWS
UPDATED Wednesday, March 2, 2011 --- 2:40 p.m.

Democratic leader accuses Republicans of bullying

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- One of the 14 Wisconsin state Senate Democrats who fled the state rather than vote on an anti-union bill is accusing the Republican leader of using bullying tactics in an effort to get them to return.

Democratic Minority Leader Mark Miller made the comment Wednesday in reaction to the decision to fine the missing lawmakers $100 for each day they are away, take away their parking spaces and delete their office accounts.

Miller says the tactics aren't productive and Democrats are united in their plan to stay away until Republicans are willing to compromise.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says he spoke with a Democrat who told him up to six of them planned to return on Wednesday, but then they didn't show.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

http://www.nbc15.com/home/headlines/UPDATE_Budget_Repair_Bill_Passes_Committee.html

*PERSONAL OPINION* We have more than a governor who needs to be recalled. Games played with the ASSOCIATED PRESS really speak volumes for the PETTY tactics of this administration and its leaders.

[edwcorey]

04:52 PM on 03/02/2011

"Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says he spoke with a Democrat who told him up to six of them planned to return on Wednesday, but then they didn't show."

So they lied. Make them honorary Republicans.

[capercaper]

08:33 PM on 03/02/2011

Oh, goodness, dear, just recall the whole state. Of course.

[unwashedmasses]

04:11 PM on 03/02/2011

BREAKING (BROKEN) NEWS
UPDATED Wednesday, March 2, 2011 --- 1:56 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says he was told by one of the 14 Democrats who fled the state that five or six of them planned to return on Wednesday.

Fitzgerald says Democratic Sen. Tim Cullen told him on Tuesday that some of the Democrats intended to break their boycott and return to the Capitol. But Fitzgerald says Cullen then told him just before the session started that they would not be returning.

Cullen did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Fitzgerald held a news conference with 16 other Republicans to show they are behind the bill Democrats are protesting that would take away bargaining rights from public workers. Republicans are increasing the pressure on Democrats to return, including fining them $100 for each day they miss.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

http://www.nbc15.com/home/headlines/UPDATE_Budget_Repair_Bill_Passes_Committee.html

[Beat Up Boots Media]

04:01 PM on 03/02/2011

Agree with the funding or not, you can't deny that middle class workers are getting a raw deal. If you are denying that, you don't have a heart. or your name is Glenn Beck.

[bluejoni2525]

02:26 PM on 03/02/2011

You can now add a brand new NBC/WSJ poll to that list too !!!
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/03/02/6171265-nbcwsj-poll-62-against-stripping-public-employees-bargaining-rights

[theerrantsoul]

01:57 PM on 03/02/2011

Public sector workers are on average paid a lower wage and given better benefits than comparable private sector workers. If we truly want to equalize it, we need to pay public workers MORE while rolling back their benefits. Otherwise, we simply make it much more attractive for skilled and intelligent candidates to work in the private sector, leaving government and civil service jobs for the people who couldn't cut it in the corporate world; is that really who you want teaching your kids?

[Ricardo01]

01:45 PM on 03/02/2011

Some of the opinions expressed in this and other polls could be based on the perceived fairness of the governor in his dealings. Americans recognize when a politician is abusing his or her power and this could factor into the poll results. Maybe a separate poll is needed.

[profitforless]

12:14 PM on 03/02/2011

it became quite clear why the Governor feared his constituents. No Wisconsinite will be unaffected by the bill. He cuts funding for schools and local governments by $1 billion, Medicaid and Badger Care by $500 million, ends state aid for recycling, expands school choice, gets rid of phosphorus rules that keep lakes and rivers clean, and cuts programs that poor college-bound students. He hands out $82 million in corporate tax breaks -- on top of the $100 million already approved -- while at the same time he takes away $42 million in tax credits for the poorest Wisconsinites.

[butchie65]

02:38 PM on 03/02/2011

Plus he can give himself a $37,000 pay raise and we can't do a thing about it ! He also cut money for Public schools and extended it for Private Schools.

[capercaper]

08:15 PM on 03/02/2011

Did he give himself a pay raise??

Do you have a link?

Cutting money from public schools and extending it for private? Do you have a link?

[Its-All-Good]

11:54 AM on 03/02/2011

If we just fund everything instead of the repubs in the way.. we will reach the logical and mathematical conclusion on our own by the obvious virtue of being broker...and then the argument will disappear on it's own in about a year or two..