Labor Unions’ Public Approval Rating Dips as US Economy Cools

Public approval of labor unions over the past year fell as economic growth in the US slowed, according to a Gallup poll released Wednesday.

The overall approval rating of unions was 67%, down from 71% in 2022, while disapproval rose from 26% to 29%. It is the first time since 2016 unions felt a dip in public sentiment, though their approval rating remains historically high.

The data shows broad public support for workers enmeshed in high-profile labor disputes. Three quarters of respondents said they sympathize with workers more than auto companies as the United Auto Workers union tries to reach ...