Among households with a private sector union member, 44% say that public employee unions have too much influence while only 9% say they have too little influence. Those who have a public sector union employee in the household strongly believe that the level of influence is about right. Additionally, most private sector union households (57%) favor a pay cut for all state workers. Not surprisingly, households with public sector union members hold the opposite view.

Collectively, the data suggests a fluid situation. If the debate is seen to focus primarily on efforts to weaken collective bargaining rights, Governor Walker is in a weak position. If the debate is seen to focus primarily on efforts to reduce the state budget deficit, the Governor may be on stronger ground.

Related Posts:

• Maryland – Montgomery County Council panel gives police chief more authority, votes to reduce power of police union
• Economist Mark Perry: Low (High) Union = High (Low) Employment Growth
• It’s Time to Freeze Government Wages — Josh Barro
• Melissa Maynard, Stateline – Governors, unions brace for battle
• National AFP – What Taxpayer Funded Union Bosses Think of Us

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 3rd, 2011 at 9:16 pm and is filed under Education, Elections. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.