Posted on 11/01/2010 10:10:30 AM PDT by Ooh-Ah
Washington, DC (November 1, 2010) – A nationwide poll of 760 union members from both the private and government sector conducted last week demonstrates a staggering disconnect between union members and the national union officials who claim to represent them. The scientific survey was conducted October 26-28 by long time pollster Frank Luntz.
The poll asked various questions regarding their union leadership and the 2010 midterm elections. The poll found that 60 percent of union members oppose their union bosses’ political spending in the 2010 midterm elections, viewing it a wasteful use of union dues and treasuries to protect incumbent Democrat politicians in Washington, D.C.
Despite Big Labor’s 2010 political spending blitz – led by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union bosses’ $87.5 million “incumbent protection program” – nearly 60 percent believe that a mostly even balance of power between Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill is best for America and the same number would rather that money be spent working with employers to create new and better jobs. A majority of union members even believe that union boss political spending should be used to “throw the bums out” instead, and half support replacing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with someone else while only 30 percent want her to remain Speaker.
In light of Big Labor’s 2010 political spending spree, 59 percent of union membership would actually vote to replace their own “union leadership” if given a secret ballot election to do so.
Half of union members view President Obama and the Democratic Congress’s healthcare reform bill as a failure, while only 37 percent view it as a success. Majorities also view the 2009 stimulus bill and the 2008 corporate bailouts as failures. Overwhelming majorities oppose future government spending and debt to rejuvenate the economy; and two-thirds of union members instead trust entrepreneurs, small businesses, and employers to lead America to better job growth.
In regards to their own union representation, a plurality of union members disapprove of the job America’s “labor leaders” are doing and view their union hierarchies as less honest and principled than 50 years ago. A whopping 72 percent of union members think union bosses should be held more accountable to workers and 63 percent think union officials are overpaid. Sixty-six percent think union officers mostly look out for themselves instead of “the little guy.”
Eighty percent supported the Right to Work principle that union membership and dues payment should be voluntary and not required as a condition of employment. Nearly 90 percent of union employees surveyed favored more union hierarchy disclosure and accountability.
“As top union officials are pouring an estimated one billion dollars into re-electing Democrats into Congress, a large majority of union members actually oppose the union bosses’ political agenda” said Mark Mix, President of the National Right to Work Foundation. “That’s why it comes to no surprise that union members would like to replace their own union leadership, and overwhelmingly support the Right to Work principle for all of America’s workers.”
To view the complete poll results, click here.
I thought union dues were OPTIONAL?
When did that change?
bttt
You know, it’s easy to forget that half the Union members voted for Reagan, and roughly the same still vote Republican. (The reason the Union leaders want the secret ballot killed for members.)
It’s also easy to forget that there are democrats who will, in the end, throw Obama overboard.
Shoot, you couldn’t get a job at Safeway as a checker in the 1990’s with out mandatory membership in the union. Most people I knew hated that.
Union dues are not optional in much of Occupied America.
No it isn't. Union members simply need to realize that they outnumber their Overlords by a considerable margin, and then act on that fact.
They are in Texas!!
If you are dumb enough to open your mouth, someone simply smashes, or credibly threatens, to smash it closed.
Most of the cowed members in my local who did what they were told and voted rat down the line for years are currently living off of extended unemployment. Only the guys running the Eboard and their kids are still working.
Only in Right To Work states.
Union members voted for Reagan...?
Yes they did.
I still have a “Hard hats for Nixon” sticker.
Unions have always been big on stickers.
They also used to realize who put the butter on their bread.
I think many Dems have already washed their hands of him and most of the others are figuring out how to do it,
RE: “Union members are in a bind. Their Unions bosses are terrifying, silence is the only option.”
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Yes! I attended a Meg Whitman for Gov. of CA rally yesterday and talked to a couple of union members — they dare not speak out and they said they ARE TOLD how to vote!
I have never been in a union but do recall that here in L.A. many union members can choose to ‘belong’ or not, but they must pay the dues regardless! Thus, they figure since they MUST pay, they may as well be members ‘in case’ they need union backing on some issue. This is what is presented to them to encourage ‘membership.’ People I knew who told these stories were in entertainment unions and school unions and utility worker unions. NONE of them wanted to pay the dues or be controlled by a union but they had no choice. DISGUSTING.
What you can do, and this is a national option, is inform the union that you want to become a financial core member, which is where you’re not paying the portion that goes for political activism. The fascist response to this is that, as a financial core member, you are no longer deemed “in good standing,” and therefore can’t hold office in the union, vote, or even attend meetings.
re: “What you can do, and this is a national option, is inform the union that you want to become a financial core member, which is where you’re not paying the portion that goes for political activism. The fascist response to this is that, as a financial core member, you are no longer deemed “in good standing,” and therefore can’t hold office in the union, vote, or even attend meetings.”
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Revolting, isn’t it? Just plain criminal. My long-deceased parents, who were Depression kids and ranted for decades against FDR, used to say “unions have been running and ruining this nation” for far too long. It seems nothing has changed.............
nationwide poll of 760 union members... both... private and government sector... last week... 60 percent... oppose their union bosses' political spending in the 2010 midterm elections... nearly 60 percent believe that a mostly even balance of power between Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill is best for America and the same number would rather that money be spent working with employers to create new and better jobs... half support replacing... Pelosi... 30 percent want her to remain Speaker... 59 percent... would actually vote to replace their own "union leadership" if given a secret ballot election to do so. Half... view... [Obamacare] bill as a failure... 37 percent... as a success...Much more. Thanks Ooh-Ah.
The 1930's I'd guess. I could pass 5 laws by magic one would be a national right to work law.
I believe it still is. Obama repeated what Pres BClinton did before him, he rescinded the executive order that forces unions to tell members they are entitled to that portion of their dues back.
DA-DA-DA-DA, BUT HE DIDNT GET CARD CHECK. You know that hurts(libs). Yes, I rub it in to liberals here.
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