Union membership in the UK began declining steeply in the 1980s and 1990s, falling from 13 million in 1979 to around 7.3 million in 2000. In September 2012 union membership dropped below 6 million for the first time since the 1940s. Union members include nurses, school meals staff, hospital cleaners, professional footballers, shop assistants, teaching assistants, bus drivers, engineers and apprentices.
70% Help |
30% Hurt |
48% Help |
28% Hurt |
14% Help, in theory but have recently become corrupt and should have their powers limited |
2% Hurt, I support some private unions but am strongly against public unions |
8% Help, but ban their ability to make political donations |
See how support for each position on “Labor Unions” has changed over time for 78k UK voters.
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See how importance of “Labor Unions” has changed over time for 78k UK voters.
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Unique answers from UK users whose views extended beyond the provided choices.
@9J3G7WJ4mos4MO
Help, when they're all under control by the government and can't organise strikes and instead take the role of bargaining members.
@9HR8Y5T4mos4MO
Largely they are helpful, but some clearly have other motivations other than their members (such as the railway unions).
@9G65FTB7mos7MO
It depends. Short term, I can see some damage potentially being done, but nothing that isn't temporary. Long term I think that having them around can be of benefit, even if it isn't a straight line to get there.
@9FQCNSJ7mos7MO
Hurt, but that’s what they’re designed to do.
@9FKMJVK7mos7MO
They hurt it in the short term but help in the long term if they work successfully for their members
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