Union approval very partisan

Every year, just before labor day, Gallup polls the American public's attitude toward labor unions. 2010 post here. This year a few more Americans view unions in a slightly more favorable light (52%), up from a 2009 low of 48%. But the real story is the whopping 52 point differential between Democrats (78% favorable) and Republicans (26% favorable). Last year Republicans had a 34% favorable view.

Gallup union approval rate improves slightly

Gallup reports the American public approves of unions, but just barely. This year's annual survey shows unions have a 52% approval rate, up compared with last year's 48% approval rating. These are the lowest two ratings in the last 70 years.

Michigan

Michigan has the highest unemployment rate among the states. The Executive Director of a Michigan organization called the Small Government Alliance claims overwhelming public support in the state for passage of a right to work law. This post seems in line with Nate Silver's analysis of Gallup's survey on union decline. Both discussed here.

Union's support declines

UPDATE In August, Gallup released its annual survey on unionization. Labor has experienced a huge drop in support since the 2008 survey. For the first time since the survey began in 1936, fewer than half of Americans (48%) approve of labor unions. In August 2008 the approval rate was 59%. At 538, Nate Silver's statistical analysis correlates the support to the rate of unemployment. When unemployment rises, support for unions falls.