Pew Research Center. Feb. 22-March 1, 2011. N=1,504 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

.

"Is your overall opinion of labor unions very favorable, mostly favorable, mostly UNfavorable, or very unfavorable?"

.

2/22 - 3/1/11

2/2-7/11

2/3-9/10

1/07

3/02

7/01

3/01

8/99

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll conducted by the polling organizations of Peter Hart (D) and Bill McInturff (R). Feb. 24-28, 2011. N=1,000 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.1.

.

"Do you think public employees who belong to a union and work for state government, city government, or a school district should have the same right to bargain when it comes to their health care, pension and other benefits as employees who belong to a union and work for private companies?"

.

2/24-28/11

Quinnipiac University Poll. Feb. 21-28, 2011. N=1,887 registered voters nationwide. Margin of error ± 2.3.

.

"In general, do you think public employees are paid too much, too little or about right?"

.

2/21-28/11

.

"In order to reduce state budget deficits, would you support or oppose making public employees pay more for their benefits and retirement programs?"

.

2/21-28/11

.

"In order to reduce state budget deficits, would you support or oppose limiting collective bargaining for public employees?"

.

2/21-28/11

.

"Do you think the effort to limit collective bargaining by public employees is more about weakening unions or more about controlling government costs?"

.

2/21-28/11

CBS News/New York Times Poll. Feb. 24-27, 2011. N=984 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

.

"Is your opinion of labor unions favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't you heard enough about labor unions yet to have an opinion?"

.

%

%

%

%

%

2/24-27/11

33

25

19

20

3

.

"Do you think labor unions have too much influence, too little influence, or about the right amount of influence on American life and politics today?"

.

%

%

%

%

2/24-27/11

37

19

29

15

2/26 - 3/1/10

43

15

27

15

3/12-16/09

47

18

24

11

9/22-27/81

60

11

22

7

.

"If you HAD to choose ONE, which of the following would you be willing to do in order to reduce your STATE'S budget deficit: increase taxes, decrease benefits of public employees like teachers or police officers, decrease funding for roads and public transportation, OR decrease funding for education?" Options rotated

.

%

%

%

%

%

2/24-27/11

40

22

20

3

15

.

"In general, do you think the salaries and benefits of MOST public employees are too high for the work that they do, too low for the work that they do, or are their salaries and benefits about right for the work that they do?"

.

%

%

%

%

%

2/24-27/11

26

25

36

9

4

.

"How much have you heard or read about the recent efforts in many states to reduce state budget deficits by cutting the benefits of public employees: a lot, some, not much or nothing at all?"

.

%

%

%

%

%

2/24-27/11

39

33

20

6

2

.

"In order to reduce state budget deficits, do you favor cutting the pay or benefits of public employees, or do you oppose that?"

.

%

%

%

2/24-27/11

37

56

7

.

"In general, when governors and state legislators try to reduce the benefits of public employees, do you think they are doing this mostly to reduce state budget deficits or mostly to weaken the power of unions?"

.

%

%

%

2/24-27/11

45

41

14

.

"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?"

.

%

%

%

2/24-27/11

33

60

7

.

"Do you think police officers and firefighters should be able to retire after 25 years of service and begin collecting pension checks, even if they are in their forties or fifties, or should they have to be older than that to retire and collect pension checks regardless of the number of years they have served?"

.

%

%

%

2/24-27/11

49

44

7

.

"Do you think teachers should be able to retire after a set period of service and begin collecting pension checks even if they are younger than 65 or shouldn't they?"

.

%

%

%

2/24-27/11

49

46

5

Pew Research Center. Feb. 24-27, 2011. N=1,009 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.

.

"From what you've read and 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?" Options rotated

.

2/24-27/11

USA Today/Gallup Poll. Feb. 21, 2011. N=1,000 adults nationwide, interviewed via Gallup Daily tracking. Margin of error ± 4.

.

"As you may know, many U.S. state governments are facing large budget deficits this year. Please say whether you strongly favor, favor, oppose, or strongly oppose each of the following ways state officials could reduce their budget deficits. How about reducing pay or benefits the state provides for government workers?"

.

2/21/11

.

"As you may know, one way the legislature in Wisconsin is seeking to reduce its budget deficit is by passing a bill that would take away some of the collective bargaining rights of most public unions, including the state teachers' union. Would you favor or oppose such a bill in your state?"

.

2/21/11

.

"In states in which government workers belong to unions, do you think those unions are generally more helpful or more harmful to those states?"

.

2/21/11

Washington Post/Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard University. Jan. 27-Feb. 9, 2011. N=1,959 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

.

"When it comes to the availability of good jobs for American workers, some say that America's best years are behind us. Others say the best times are yet to come. What do you think?"

.

1/27 - 2/9/11

.

"Which of these statements do you agree with more? Most people who want to get ahead can make it if they're willing to work hard. OR, Hard work and determination are no guarantee of success for most people." Options rotated

.

1/27 - 2/9/11

Pew Research Center. Feb. 2-7, 2011. N=1,385 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.5.

.

"As you may know, some labor unions represent people who are employed by private companies, while others represent people who are employed by state or local governments. Do you have a generally favorable or unfavorable opinion of unions that represent people who work for state or local governments?"

.

.

.

2/2-7/11

.

.

"How about your opinion of unions that represent people who work for private companies?"

.

.

.

2/2-7/11

.

.

"When you hear of a disagreement between labor unions and businesses, is your first reaction to side with the unions or to side with businesses?" Options rotated

.

2/2-7/11

.

"How about when you hear of a disagreement between state or local governments and unions that represent government workers, is your first reaction to side with the governments or to side with the unions?" Options rotated

.

2/2-7/11

.

"Overall, do you think labor unions have a generally positive, generally negative, or not much of an effect on [see below]?"

.

.

.

.

"The salary and benefits of union workers"

2/2-7/11

.

.

"Working conditions for all American workers"

2/2-7/11

.

.

"The ability of American companies to compete globally"

2/2-7/11

.

.

"The availability of good jobs in America"

2/2-7/11

.

.

"Workplace productivity"

2/2-7/11

.

.

"Which comes closer to your view? Do you think union agreements give union workers unfair advantages or ensure that union workers are treated fairly?" Options rotated

.

2/2-7/11

Gallup Poll. Jan. 7-9, 2011. N=1,018 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.

.

"Next, I'm going to read some aspects of life in America today. For each one, please say whether you are very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied. How about the opportunity for a person to get ahead by working hard?"

.

1/7-9/11

1/10-14/01

Gallup Poll. Dec. 3-6, 2010. N=1,003 adults nationwide, interviewed via Gallup Daily tracking. Margin of error ± 4.

.

"Suppose that on Election Day you could vote on key issues as well as candidates. Please tell me whether you would vote for or against a law that would do each of the following. First, would you vote for or against a law that would extend unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed?"

.

12/3-6/10

Gallup Poll. Aug. 5-8, 2010. N=1,013 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.

.

"Is anyone living in your household a member of a labor union?"

.

8/13-16/07

8/7-10/06

8/8-11/05

Bloomberg Poll conducted by Selzer & Co. July 9-12, 2010. N=1,004 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.1.

.

"Long-term unemployment is near a record high. The government is considering again extending unemployment benefits so that people could continue to receive payments for as long as 99 weeks, instead of the normal 26-week cut-off. That would add $34 billion to the deficit. Do you favor or oppose extending unemployment benefits?"

.

7/9-12/10

CBS News Poll. July 9-12, 2010. N=966 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.

.

"Do you think Congress should extend unemployment benefits for people who are currently out of work, even if it means increasing the budget deficit, or shouldn't they do that?"

.

7/9-12/10

Gallup Poll. Jan. 26-27, 2010. N=972 adults nationwide. MoE ± 4.

.

"Would you rather have a job working for the government or working for a business?"

.

1/26-27/10

CBS News Poll. Dec. 17-22, 2009. N=1,048 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.

.

"Compared to 20 years ago, do you think the types of jobs now available in the U.S. require different backgrounds and skills than they used to 20 years ago, or do the jobs available now require about the same backgrounds and skills?"

.

12/17-22/09

Gallup Poll. Aug. 6-9, 2009. N=1,010 adults nationwide. MoE ± 4.

.

"Overall, do you think labor unions mostly help or mostly hurt [see below]?"

.

.

"Workers who are members of unions"

8/7-10/06

8/28-30/05

8/4-6/03

.

8/7-10/06

8/28-30/05

8/4-6/03

.

"Workers who are not members of unions"

8/7-10/06

8/28-30/05

8/4-6/03

.

"The companies where workers are unionized"

8/7-10/06

8/28-30/05

8/4-6/03

The Harris Poll. July 7-14, 2009. N=approx. 500 adults nationwide. MoE ± 4.

.

.

Very Great Prestige

.

2009

2008

2007

2006

2003

2000

1998

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

.

Firefighter *

n/a

Scientist

55

Doctor

61

Nurse

n/a

Military officer

34

Teacher

53

Police officer **

41

Priest/Minister/Clergy ***

46

Engineer

34

Farmer

n/a

Architect

26

Member of Congress

25

Lawyer

23

Business executive ****

18

Athlete

20

Journalist

15

Union leader

16

Entertainer

19

Banker

18

Actor

n/a

Stockbroker

n/a

Accountant

17

Real estate broker/agent

n/a

* "Fireman" prior to 2006.
** "Policeman" prior to 2003.
*** "Priest/Minister/Clergyman" prior to 2007.
**** "Businessman" prior to 2003.

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll conducted by the polling organizations of Peter Hart (D) and Bill McInturff (R). April 23-26, 2009. N=1,005 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.1.

.

"As you may have heard, Congress is debating legislation that would change the way in which workers unionize. This change would allow workers at a company to join a labor union if a majority of workers at that company sign a petition saying they want to form a union, rather than by requiring the vote take place in a federally supervised secret ballot election, as they do now. Would you favor or oppose passing this legislation?"

.

4/23-26/09

.

"I'm going to read you the names of several individuals and groups. Please tell me whether you have a generally favorable or unfavorable opinion of each one. If you've never heard of one please just say so. Labor unions."

.

Favorable

Unfavorable

Unsure

%

%

%

Gallup Poll. March 14-15, 2009. N=1,024 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.

.

"How closely have you been following news about a bill in Congress that would change the rules governing how unions can organize workers: very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at all?"

.

%

%

%

%

%

3/14-15/09

12

22

26

39

1

.

"Generally speaking, would you favor or oppose a new law that would make it easier for labor unions to organize workers?"

.

%

%

%

3/14-15/09

53

39

8

.

"How important is it to you, personally, whether or not Congress passes a new law that would make it easier for labor unions to organize workers: is it very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not important at all?"

.

%

%

%

%

%

3/14-15/09

26

29

23

20

3

Diageo/Hotline Poll conducted by FD. Jan. 21-24, 2009. N=800 registered voters nationwide. MoE ± 3.5.

.

"I would now like to read you some background on some legislation Congress is considering and ask you if you support or oppose it. As you may know, Congress is debating legislation to change how unions may form in companies. There are two parts to this legislation. The first part would change the way unions are formed. Instead of holding a federally supervised secret ballot election to decide whether to unionize, union organizers would be allowed to ask employees to sign a card saying they support forming a union. If a majority of employees sign these cards, the union would officially represent that company's entire workforce. The second part of the legislation would change the bargaining process. It would give the newly formed union and the employer 90 days to reach a contract agreement or else the matter will be handed over to federal arbitrators. It would be those arbitrators who would determine the wages, benefits and other terms of the contract that employees would be required to work under for two years. Do you support or oppose this legislation?"

.

%

%

%

1/21-24/09

37

50

14

CBS News/New York Times Poll. Jan. 11-15, 2009. N=1,112 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.

.

"Now, if you were free to do either, would you prefer to have a job outside the home, or would you prefer to stay home and take care of a house and family?"

.

%

%

%

1/11-15/09

59

38

3

Gallup Poll. Aug. 13-16, 2007. N=1,019 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.

.

"If you were free to do either, would you prefer to have a job outside the home, or would you prefer to stay at home and take care of the house and family?"

.

ALL adults

Men

Women

CBS News Poll. Jan. 1-3, 2007. N=993 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.

.

"With the Democrats in control of Congress, do you think the minimum wage will go up, go down, or stay about the same?"

.

%

%

%

%

1/1-3/07

68

0

30

2

Associated Press-AOL News Poll conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs. Dec. 19-21, 2006. N=1,004 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.1.

.

"Do you favor or oppose an increase in the minimum wage?"

.

%

%

%

12/19-21/06

80

18

2

CNN Poll conducted by Opinion Research Corporation. Aug. 30-Sept. 2, 2006. N=1,004 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.

.

"Do you favor or oppose Congress passing legislation that would raise the minimum wage?"

.

%

%

%

8/30 - 9/2/06

86

13

1

Gallup Poll. Aug. 7-10, 2006. N=1,007 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.

.

"If you were taking a new job and had your choice of a boss would you prefer to work for a man or a woman?"

.

ALL adults

Men

Women

CBS News/New York Times Poll. July 21-25, 2006. N=1,127 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.

.

"As you may know, the federal minimum wage is currently $5.15 an hour. Do you favor or oppose raising the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour over the next two years, or not?"

.

ALL adults

    Democrats

    Independents

    Republicans

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll conducted by the polling organizations of Peter Hart (D) and Bill McInturff (R). July 21-24, 2006. N=1,010 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.1.

.

"Do you favor or oppose raising the minimum wage from five dollars and fifteen cents an hour to seven dollars and twenty-five cents an hour?"

.

7/21-24/06

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll conducted by the polling organizations of Peter Hart (D) and Bill McInturff (R). June 9-12, 2006. N=1,002 adults nationwide. Results below are among registered voters.

.

"I'm going to read you some positions that someone running for Congress could take. For each one, please tell me whether you would be more likely to vote for a candidate for Congress who takes this position, less likely to vote for this candidate, or would it not make a difference to you either way? Favors increasing the minimum wage from five dollars and fifteen cents per hour to six dollars and sixty-five cents per hour."

.

6/9-12/06