Exclusive: New Poll Shows Clear Majorities Distrust Big Corporations, Favor Unions

[Joanne98]

One year after the spectacular collapse of the Wall Street Economy, how do big corporations stack up with the public?

A new poll, the results of which have been made available to Firedoglake, shows a clear majority of the country—51%—thinks big corporations have too much power, amounting to a problem for our economy. On the flip side, just 22% think the same of "big labor unions."

Even better news for unions: the same poll shows 54% of the public sees unions as favorable, compared to just 38% unfavorable.

These new numbers are a welcome shift from last month's Gallup poll, which showed a sharp drop in favorability of unions, down to 48%. Indeed, the previous Gallup poll in December showed unions enjoyed 59% support.

It appears Gallup's September poll was an outlier - unions have had consistent favorability for years in Gallup's polling, and Gallup found in March that 53% of the public supports the Employee Free Choice Act. When considered with the new numbers from today's poll, it should be clear that unions still enjoy support from a strong majority of the country.

This poll was conducted by Benenson Strategy Group poll of 804 voters nationwide from September 14-19, 2009. Questions after the jump.
"Labor Unions"

Total favorable 54%
Total unfavorable 38%

"Which do you think is the bigger problem for our economy?"

Big corporations have too much power, 51%
Big labor unions have too much power, 22%

http://firedoglake.com/2009/10/02/exclusive-new-poll-shows-clear-majorities-distrust-big-corporations-favor-unions/

[Omaha Steve]

1. Great find

K&R!