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 |
27% 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 80.4k UK voters.
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See how importance of “Labor Unions” has changed over time for 80.4k UK voters.
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Unique answers from UK users whose views extended beyond the provided choices.
@9MZR4SR3 days3D
Help. But ensure they're activity pure and transparent and democratic. Reflect views of all members 're donation, ability to strike
@9MZNK8K3 days3D
This question is irrelevant because laboUr unions exist to protect workers' rights not to protect the economy. It's like asking if churches are good for the economy.
@9MQZ99N7 days7D
strike action hurts the economy but I believe in the right to belong to a union and overall unions do not hurt the economy
@9MP7CDC1wk1W
I think they are beneficial and help workers feel supported, they are only frowned upon because they actually voice what everyone thinks.
@9MP3MSJ1wk1W
They can help and should have a voice however it should be a requirement of anyone negotiating on behalf of their full labour force to have had business acumen training to fully understand the impact of the requirements they are negotiating for on the organisation.
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