\nWashington, DC (November 1, 2010)<\/b> \u2013 A nationwide poll of 760 union members from both the private and government sector conducted last week demonstrates a staggering disconnect between union members and the national union officials who claim to represent them. The scientific survey was conducted October 26-28 by long time pollster Frank Luntz.\n<\/p>\n
\nThe poll asked various questions regarding their union leadership and the 2010 midterm elections. The poll found that 60 percent of union members oppose their union bosses\u2019 political spending in the 2010 midterm elections, viewing it a wasteful use of union dues and treasuries to protect incumbent Democrat politicians in Washington, D.C.\n<\/p>\n
\nDespite Big Labor\u2019s 2010 political spending blitz \u2013 led by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union bosses\u2019 $87.5 million \u201cincumbent protection program\u201d \u2013 nearly 60 percent believe that a mostly even balance of power between Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill is best for America and the same number would rather that money be spent working with employers to create new and better jobs. A majority of union members even believe that union boss political spending should be used to \u201cthrow the bums out\u201d instead, and half support replacing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with someone else while only 30 percent want her to remain Speaker.\n<\/p>\n
\nIn light of Big Labor\u2019s 2010 political spending spree, 59 percent of union membership would actually vote to replace their own \u201cunion leadership\u201d if given a secret ballot election to do so.\n<\/p>\n
\nHalf of union members view President Obama and the Democrat Congress\u2019s healthcare reform bill as a failure, while only 37 percent view it as a success. Majorities also view the 2009 stimulus bill and the 2008 corporate bailouts as failures. Overwhelming majorities oppose future government spending and debt to rejuvenate the economy; and two-thirds of union members instead trust entrepreneurs, small businesses, and employers to lead America to better job growth.\n<\/p>\n
\nIn regards to their own union representation, a plurality of union members disapprove of the job America\u2019s \u201clabor leaders\u201d are doing and view their union hierarchies as less honest and principled than 50 years ago. A whopping 72 percent of union members think union bosses should be held more accountable to workers and 63 percent think union officials are overpaid. Sixty-six percent think union officers mostly look out for themselves instead of \u201cthe little guy.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\nEighty percent supported the Right to Work principle that union membership and dues payment should be voluntary and not required as a condition of employment. Nearly 90 percent of union employees surveyed favored more union hierarchy disclosure and accountability.\n<\/p>\n
\n\u201cAs top union officials are pouring an estimated one billion dollars into re-electing Democrats into Congress, a large majority of union members actually oppose the union bosses\u2019 political agenda\u201d said Mark Mix, President of the National Right to Work Foundation. \u201cThat\u2019s why it comes to no surprise that union members would like to replace their own union leadership, and overwhelmingly support the Right to Work principle for all of America\u2019s workers.\u201d\n<\/p>\n