As the US Congress makes a renewed push to overturn long-standing secret ballot elections for labor unions, North Carolina voters are casting a doubtful eye on its actions.
According to a new poll released today by Civitas Institute, 54 percent of North Carolina voters prefer the current federally supervised secret ballot elections for unionization as opposed to an open card-check effort, which aspires to force workers into publicly displaying personal votes. Only 32 percent of voters prefer the card-check method. Fourteen percent of voters were unsure.
Voters will also hold elected officials responsible who support taking away the right of workers to secret-ballot elections. When asked if they were more or less likely to vote for a Senator who supports eliminating secret-ballot elections for union workers, 44 percent of voters said they were less likely to support that Senator’s re-election. Only 21 percent said they were more likely to support them again. Twenty-four percent of voters said a Senator’s support for card-check legislation would have no bearing on their support.
“This should be seen as a strong message to Senators Burr and Hagan that North Carolina voters do not approve of card-check legislation and will hold any Senator, who votes for the bill, personally accountable for their actions,” added De Luca.
Full text of questions:
“Currently, in order to form a labor union, workers hold a federally supervised secret ballot election to determine if a majority of workers voted for unionization. Some in Congress want to replace secret-ballot elections with a system where workers would publicly sign a card stating they wanted unionization. Which system do you think is best?”
Private Ballot – 54%
Public Card Signature – 32%
Not Sure – 14%
“Would you be more or less likely to re-elect a United States senator who supports eliminating secret ballot elections for union workers?”
More – 21%
Less – 44%
No Difference – 24%
Not Sure – 11%
Full press release here.
Great framing of the question. I'm surprised it wasn't 99-1.
How about asking whether people approve of what the legislation actually does?
Posted by: anon | January 27, 2009 at 05:58 PM
How about having the guts to put your name on your posts?
Posted by: Chris | January 27, 2009 at 08:23 PM
ANON...come on! You know the legislation actually does nothing but promote union corruption. It sounds like you would really love that! Guess you are another one that has been wined and dined to the good life of your favorite union.
Posted by: UKNOWME | January 28, 2009 at 02:06 PM