Key Takeaways
- A Gallup poll shows 47 % of Americans now want unions to have more influence – the highest level recorded this century.
- Anti‑union sentiment has fallen to a record low of 23 %, down from 26 % in 2023 and far below the 42 % peak in 2009.
- Overall approval of labor unions stands at 71 %, matching levels seen in May 1965, a era of strong labor fervor.
- Despite high approval, actual union membership has plummeted from roughly one‑in‑three workers in 1965 to about one‑in‑ten in 2025.
- The decline of union power followed decades of de‑industrialization and weakening labor militancy after the 1960s.
- Contemporary pressures – AI‑driven job displacement, rampant inflation, and eroding workers’ rights – are pushing workers to reconsider unions as a protective force.
- Historical examples, such as the recent Korean workers’ strike fearing robot replacement, illustrate how organizing can counteract automation threats.
Gallup Survey Reveals Record‑High Support for Union Influence
According to a new survey by polling firm Gallup, “a full 47 percent of Americans now say they want unions to have more influence than they do today.” That figure marks an increase from 43 % in 2023 and a dramatic rise from the dismal 25 % recorded in 2009, setting what Gallup describes as a new record for the 21st century. The upward trajectory suggests a growing public appetite for stronger collective bargaining power, especially as economic anxieties mount.
Anti‑Union Sentiment at Historic Lows
Concurrently, the share of Americans harboring anti‑labor views – those who want unions to have “even less influence” than they do today – has slipped to just 23 %. This is down from 26 % in 2023 and represents less than half the record 21st‑century high of 42 % reached in 2009. The declining opposition indicates that skepticism toward organized labor is waning, creating a more favorable environment for union revitalization.
Union Approval Matches 1965 Levels
Overall approval of labor unions has climbed to a “whopping 71 percent,” on par with Gallup’s polling from May 1965, a period characterized by an “unrecognizably strong fervor for labor protections.” That era also heralded the beginning of a long decline in organized labor’s influence, highlighting a paradox: while public sentiment today mirrors the enthusiasm of the mid‑1960s, the structural reality of union presence is vastly different.
Membership Gap Between Then and Now
Despite the resurgence in favorable attitudes, actual union membership tells a contrasting story. At the height of 1965, “nearly one in three Americans belonged to a union,” whereas by 2025 that figure has fallen to “just one in ten.” The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that work stoppages were frequent in the 1960s, with the average duration of worker‑led shutdowns peaking at 25 days in 1965. The stark drop in membership underscores how institutional strength has eroded even as public approval has rebounded.
Decades of Decline After the 1960s
The weakening of union power did not arise from shifting opinions alone; it followed “decades of organizing and hard‑won concessions in the face of rising industrialization.” After the 1960s, both union activity and popular support began to wane, a trend exacerbated by de‑industrialization, globalization, and policy shifts that favored business interests. As traditional manufacturing jobs vanished, many once‑ardent labor groups found themselves capitulating to pro‑business forces, leaving a vacuum in workplace representation.
Modern Pressures: AI, Inflation, and Eroding Rights
Today, workers confront a “triple‑threat of AI‑fueled unemployment, rampant inflation, and further erosion of workers’ rights.” These forces have pushed many onto their heels, prompting a renewed look at unions as a potential bulwark against automation‑driven job loss and wage stagnation. The specter of intelligent machines displacing human labor has revived anxieties reminiscent of earlier technological shocks, making collective action appear increasingly relevant.
Historical Lessons and the Prospect of a Revival
The article suggests that if “the broad collective of US workers can tap into the long‑forgotten legacy of the 20th century labor movement, it could mean the revival of union militancy, and for some, possibly one last chance to carve out protections against an automated future through workplace organizing.” By revisiting the strategies that once secured wages, safety standards, and bargaining power, modern workers may reinvigorate unions as a decisive force in shaping the future of work.
Global Echoes: Korean Workers Strike Over Robot Fears
The piece points to a concrete example of this dynamic abroad: “Korean Workers Vote to Go On Strike, Fearing Robots Could Replace Them.” This headline illustrates how workers in other economies are already mobilizing against the perceived threat of automation, using strikes and collective bargaining to demand safeguards, retraining, and limits on robotic deployment. Such actions serve as a potential blueprint for American labor seeking similar protections.
Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment for American Labor
In sum, while public approval of unions has returned to levels unseen since the mid‑1960s, the actual influence of organized labor remains limited by low membership and structural challenges. Yet the convergence of technological disruption, economic insecurity, and a shifting ideological landscape presents a unique opportunity. If workers can harness the historic strength of past labor movements and adapt those lessons to the realities of AI and global competition, the United States may witness a resurgence of union militancy that not only defends existing jobs but also helps shape a more equitable, automated future.
https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/labor-union-support-gallup-ai-automation