Catherwood LibraryILR School

Public opinion in the U.S. has shifted sharply in favor of labor unions, reaching record highs in support while views of big business have declined. Recent national survey data show this change is widespread across political, racial, and educational lines, with especially strong pro-union sentiment among more educated Americans. Factors like pandemic-era workplace treatment, rising inequality, and prominent organizing efforts have likely fueled the trend. However, obstacles to unionization remain, as outdated labor laws limit workers’ ability to organize effectively.