CWA Local 9510's News Blog

>>> Candice Johnson 02/22/2011 1:25 PM >>>
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-02-22-poll-public-unions-wisconsin_N.htm

Poll: 61% oppose limiting union bargaining powerBy Dennis Cauchon (
http://content.usatoday.com/topics/reporter/Dennis+Cauchon ), USA
TODAY

The public strongly opposes laws taking away the collective bargaining
power of public employee unions as a way to ease state financial
troubles, according to a new USA TODAY/Gallup Poll.

The poll found that 61% would oppose a law in their state similar to
one being considered in Wisconsin, compared with 33% who would favor
such a law.

Ohioand several other states that have new Republican (
http://content.usatoday.com/topics/topic/Organizations/Political+Bodies/Republican+Party
) governors and legislative majorities are considering laws that would
reduce the power of government employee unions to bargain over benefits
and work rules.

Wisconsinis the first state to consider the limits, prompting protests
that have closed schools and drawn tens of thousands of protesters to
the state Capitol in Madison.

The poll results suggest how politically difficult it is to solve
budget shortfalls. The survey found that people believe budget problems
in their state are real but strongly oppose tax hikes to solve them.
Americans are split on whether to cut state service s to balance
budgets.

The survey of 1,000 adults was taken Monday night. It has a margin of
error of 4%.
Key results:
* 71% oppose increasing sales, income or other taxes while 27% are in
favor that approach.
* 53% oppose reducing pay or benefits for government workers while
44% are in favor.
* 48% opposed reducing or eliminating government programs while 47%
were in favor of cuts.

Despite the opposition to reducing spending or raising taxes, those
surveyed agreed overwhelmingly that their state faces a budget crisis.
Sixty-four percent said their state was in financial crisis while only
5% said it wasn't. The rest were unsure.

The poll found people divided on whether public employee unions are a
good thing.
Candice Johnson
CWA Communications Director