Favorable views of labor unions have plummeted since 2007, amid growing public skepticism about unions’ purpose and power, Pew says. Currently, 41 percent in the survey say they have a favorable opinion of labor unions while about as many (42 percent) express an unfavorable opinion. In January 2007, a clear majority (58 percent) had a favorable view of unions while just 31 percent had an unfavorable impression, Pew reports.
Last year, a Pew Research survey found a decline in the proportion of the public saying labor unions are necessary to protect working people, while more expressed concern about the power of unions. In April 2009, 61 percent agreed with the statement “labor unions are necessary to protect the working person,” down from 68 percent in 2007 and 74 percent in 2003. In the same survey, six-in-ten (61 percent) agreed that “labor unions have too much power,” up from 52 percent in 1999, according to Pew.
