2010-02-22-皮尤-Favorability_Ratings_of_Labor_Unions_Fall_Sharply_6页_40kb

Labor Union Favorability Decline

Key Findings

• Favorable views of labor unions plummeted from 58% in 2007 to 41% in 2010.
• Currently, 41% have a favorable opinion, while 42% express unfavorable views.
• Fewer people (61%) see unions as necessary to protect working people compared to 74% in 2007.
• Support for unions declines most significantly among whites and Republicans.

Demographic Shifts

• Republicans: Favorable ratings dropped 18 percentage points to 29%, unfavorable views increased to 58%.
• Whites: Unfavorable opinions rose 17 percentage points to 37%, though still significantly lower than blacks.
• Age: Decline was sharpest among those aged 65+ (-31 points).
• Education: College graduates saw the largest decline (-17 points) in favorable views.

Union Households

• Those in union households remain positive (74% favorable), similar to 2007.
• Unfavorable views among non-union households increased to 45%.

Other Trends

• Concern about union power is higher than before:
  • 61% believe unions have "too much power" (up from 52% in 1999).
  • Changes in opinion were most pronounced among independents and Republicans.
• Decreases in favorable views were most dramatic among those without college degrees.