WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the U.S., 61% of adults say they approve of labor unions, the highest percentage since the 65% approval recorded in 2003. The current labor union approval is up five percentage points from last year and is 13 points above the all-time low found in 2009.
Eighty-one percent of Democrats approve of unions this year — significantly higher than the 42% of Republicans who 
approve. This disparity is not as stark as it was in 2011 when Republican approval was 26% and Democratic approval was 78%.
As more U.S. adults approve of unions, their interest in wanting unions to have more influence is also on the rise. Thirty-nine percent of Americans would like unions to have more influence — the highest figure recorded in the 18 years Gallup has asked this question.
