There is a huge gap between the share of workers with union representation (12.1%) and the share of workers who would like to have a union and a voice on the job. As shown in Figure A, almost half of nonunion workers polled in 2017 (48%) said they would join a union in their workplace tomorrow if they got the chance. That’s 50% higher than in 1995, when 32% of those surveyed said they would vote for a union.
In addition, a 2020 Gallup poll finds that 65% of Americans approve of labor unions—the highest percentage in 16 years (see Figure B). And, as shown in Table 1, young adults (ages 18–34) support unions at an even higher level—71% compared with the overall average of 65%.1
Interest in joining unions is high: The share of U.S. workers who don’t belong to a union but say they would join one if they could, selected years
| Year | Percentage of nonunion workers who would vote to join one |
|---|---|
| 1977 | 33% |
| 1995 | 32% |
| 2017 | 48% |
Source: Thomas A. Kochan et al., “Worker Voice in America: Is There a Gap Between What Workers Expect and What They Experience?” ILR Review 72, no. 1 (January 2019): 3–38, https://doi.org/10.1177/0019793918806250.
Public approval of labor unions continues to trend above 60%: Share of poll respondents who say they approve of labor unions, 2004–2020
| Year | % Approve |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 59% |
| 2005 | 58 |
| 2006 | 59 |
| 2007 | 60 |
| 2008 | 59 |
| 2009 | 48 |
| 2010 | 52 |
| 2011 | 52 |
| 2012 | 52 |
| 2013 | 54 |
| 2014 | 53 |
| 2015 | 58 |
| 2016 | 56 |
| 2017 | 61 |
| 2018 | 62 |
| 2019 | 64 |
| 2020 | 65 |
Source: Adapted from Megan Brenan, “At 65%, Approval of Labor Unions in U.S. Remains High,” Gallup website, September 3, 2020.
Majorities in major U.S. subgroups approve of labor unions: Share of poll respondents who say they approve of labor unions, by gender, age, and education, 2020
| Approve | Disapprove | No opinion | |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. adults | 65% | 30% | 5% |
| Gender | |||
| Men | 63% | 33% | 3% |
| Women | 67% | 27% | 6% |
| Age | |||
| 18–34 | 71% | 25% | 4% |
| 35–54 | 63% | 31% | 6% |
| 55 and older | 63% | 33% | 4% |
| Education | |||
| College graduate | 68% | 29% | 3% |
| Some college | 62% | 31% | 6% |
| No college | 65% | 31% | 5% |
Source: Adapted from Megan Brenan, “At 65%, Approval of Labor Unions in U.S. Remains High,” Gallup website, September 3, 2020.
Note
1. Megan Brenan, “At 65%, Approval of Labor Unions in U.S. Remains High,” Gallup website, September 3, 2020.