As public support for labor unions surges, Lee Saunders urges Congress to support the freedom of workers to organize
WASHINGTON — Gallup’s annual Labor Day poll released today shows public support for labor unions has grown to 68%, the highest level since 1965. In response, AFSCME President Lee Saunders said:
“It’s no surprise that more people are waking up to the power that unions give workers to level the playing field and restore balance to the economy. Throughout this pandemic, Americans have seen firsthand that unions are on the front lines, fighting for what all working people need – from better pay and safer working conditions to paid sick leave and job security. More workers want to unionize, but current law allows employers to stack the deck, with free rein to bully and intimidate workers who seek to organize.
“It's time for Congress to stand up for working people and pass the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act and the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act. All workers are asking for is the freedom to join and form strong unions, so they can improve their lives and transform their communities.”
Despite the pandemic’s devastating impacts, union members have continued to organize to strengthen their communities and the labor movement:
- After years of harmful austerity measures, union members led the fight to secure vital funding for states, cities, towns and working families in the American Rescue Plan. The ARP is boosting local economies and providing much-needed support to workers and businesses.
- Working people elected the most pro-union president in recent history in Joe Biden, who has made encouraging worker organizing and collective bargaining an official policy of his administration. Biden has also appointed leaders with experience fighting for working people to lead the Department of Labor and the National Labor Relations Board.
- Despite a global pandemic, public service workers have won historic organizing campaigns in Nevada, California and Virginia.
Read Gallup’s full polling briefing here.