From the AFGE Insider: New Gallup Poll: 70% of Americans Approve of Labor Unions

Americans continue to have a favorable view of labor unions as seen from the latest annual survey by Gallup. 

In 2024, 7 in 10 Americans approve of labor unions, near a 60-year high. Since 1936, Gallup has conducted surveys on Americans’ opinions about labor unions.  

The result is in line with a poll conducted by the AFL-CIO last year where 7 in 10 or 71% approved of labor unions – that included 91% of Democrats, 69% of independents, and 52% of Republicans.  

It’s easy to understand why working people approve of unions – unionized workers have 10-20% higher wages and better working conditions than those who don’t belong to a union. There’s a massive wealth gap between unionized and non-unionized workers. 

Even though Americans approve of unions, many don’t have access to them. According to the Economic Policy Institute, more than 60 million workers in 2023 wanted to join a union but couldn’t.