Public Opinion Overwhelmingly Backs Unions' Right To Collectively Bargain

Looks like Wisconsin governor Scott Walker's battle to destroy public employees unions in Wisconsin is galvanizing public opinion on the side of unions:

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.

Ohio and several other states that have new Republican governors and legislative majorities are considering laws that would reduce the power of government employee unions to bargain over benefits and work rules.

Wisconsin is 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 found people divided on whether public employee unions are a good thing.

Source: USA TODAY/Gallup Poll of 1,000 adults Monday. Margin of error: +/-4 percentage points

There is a lot of work to be done to increase support for unions, especially for public employees unions, but this poll does show that Americans are NOT in favor of outlawing unions as some on the wingnut and neo-liberal side of the political spectrum claim.

As for public opinion in Wisconsin, that is moving toward public employees and away from Scott Walker as well.

Which is perhaps why Walker is taking to the airwaves tonight for a "fireside chat."

It behooves the union movement and progressives to pushback against whatever horseshit Walker tries to sell as truth tonight.

This move by Walker has NOTHING to do with solving a budget problem and EVERYTHING to do with busting the unions for good.

It is a good sign that many Americans can see that.