Auto, Hollywood strikes widely supported: poll
Americans broadly support workers striking both in the auto industry and in Hollywood, a poll new found.
The survey, conducted by Reuters, found that Democrats and Republicans each support the strike by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union against three major automakers — Ford, General Motors and Stellantis — and by screenwriters and actors amid contract talks with studios.
Each group is demanding better pay and benefits, along with other guarantees amid industry changes driven by technology like electric vehicles and artificial intelligence.
The autoworkers began their strike last week. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has been striking since May, with reports this week that the union could be closing in on a deal. The actors guild began its strike in July, marking the first time in decades that Hollywood has faced labor action from both writers and actors.
The poll found that 58 percent of American respondents support the UAW’s demands, while 32 percent oppose the action and 10 percent are unsure. The support was particularly strong from Democrats. Nearly three-quarters of self-identified Democrats said they backed the autoworkers strike and 79 percent said they support the writers strike in Hollywood.
Although Republicans have traditionally not supported movements to unionize, a large number of self-identified Republicans polled by Reuters said they backed the workers. Still, they were largely split on the issue: 48 percent supported the autoworkers strike, while 47 percent did not. Similarly, 46 percent said they supported the writers strike and 46 percent did not.
Reuters noted the poll comes amid a broader uptick in public support for labor unions.
Before the UAW strike, 310,000 workers in the United States were involved in work stoppages.
Two-thirds of people polled said they think compensation of CEOs and workers should go up equally over time, which is a key point of the autoworker union’s argument.
The poll found that Americans across the board support the labor movement and what the striking workers are trying to achieve. More than 60 percent of the poll’s respondents said labor unions have improved quality of life.
More than 1,000 people participated in the poll, conducted Sept. 19-20. The poll has a margin of error plus or minus 4 percentage points and 6 percentage points for Democratic and Republican responses.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
