The following information about Americans' attitudes toward unions is based on surveys by Peter D. Hart Research Associates Inc.
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Improving Attitudes Toward Unions
(general public)
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| Source: Peter Hart Research, 1993-1999 |
More than two-thirds of Americans feel positive or neutral toward unions. In the past two years, negative attitudes toward unions have declined significantly (from one out of three Americans to one out of four) and positive attitudes have risen moderately. In the past six years—since 1993—there has been an 11-point drop in negative attitudes, from 34 percent to 23 percent.
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More Likely to Choose a Union
(among nonunion workers in nonsupervisory jobs)
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| Source: Peter Hart Research, 1993-1999, and 1984 Louis Harris poll |
More Americans would vote for a union today than 15 years ago. When Americans who don't have a union are asked how they would vote if a union election were held in their workplace tomorrow, 43 percent say they would definitely or probably vote for a union. This percentage has increased by nearly half over the past 15 years. The percentage who say they would vote against a union has dropped dramatically.
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Young Adults Are Positive by 2:1 Margin
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| Source: Peter Hart Research, March 1999 |
Among young adults ages 18-34, positive attitudes toward unions outpace negative attitudes two to one. Negative attitudes are lower among young adults than among all adults.
Young Adults Would Choose Union
(among nonunion, nonsupervisory young adults 18-34)
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| Source: Peter Hart Research, March 1999 |
The majority of young workers ages 18-34 who don't already have a union say they would definitely or probably vote for one. Young workers increasingly are likely to vote for a union—while today most would vote yes, two years ago slightly less than half (48 percent) said they would choose a union.
Union Workers Are Better Off
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| Source: Peter Hart Research, June 1999 |
A majority of workers think that employees who have a union are better off than those who don't. Fifty-two percent of those polled say workers are better off if they have a union; only 20 percent say they are worse off. Eleven percent say it makes no difference and 17 percent aren't sure.
Unions Are Good for the Country
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| Source: Peter Hart Research, March 1999 |
A majority of those polled think it would be good for the country if more workers had union representation. Fifty-two percent of respondents say an increase in union membership would be good for the nation; only 22 percent say it would be bad.
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| Source: Peter Hart Research, June 1999 |
The overwhelming majority of working Americans believes joining together is the best way to solve problems at work. Sixty-nine percent of workers say they think employees are more successful in getting problems resolved with their employer when they bring these problems up as a grop rather than as individuals.
For more information, contact: 202-637-5018.
