Survey: Public Strongly Supports Employee Free Choice

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2009/01/08/survey-public-strongly-supports-employee-free-choice/

by Seth Michaels, Jan 8, 2009

A new survey released today shows 78 percent of those polled want to see legislation that protects workers’ freedom to form unions and bargain for a better life—great news and a strong signal to Congress and President-elect Barack Obama that we need to pass the Employee Free Choice Act.

The survey of 1,007 adults across the country, conducted Dec. 4-10 for the AFL-CIO by Peter D. Hart Research Associates, shows a striking level of support for the provisions of the Employee Free Choice Act and the freedom to form unions. This support crosses party and state lines, with 74 percent of those who identify as moderate or liberal Republicans in favor; conservative Republicans were the only group not expressing majority support. Support remains steady, even when those surveyed heard messages from both supporters and opponents of the bill.

Here are some key findings:

* 75 percent of those surveyed support recognizing a union when a majority of workers have signed up in support.

* 64 percent support strengthening penalties against companies who illegally intimidate or fire workers who are trying to form a union.

* 61 percent favor binding arbitration if a company will not agree to a first contract. (This provision had the highest number of respondents who weren’t sure how they felt about it.)


FULL story at link.

[Mojambo]

1. Maybe common sense isn't dead in America? n/t