Americans Want To Protect A Worker’s Right To A Federally
Supervised Private Ballot Election When Deciding Whether To Organize A Union

Americans almost unanimously believe that workers should continue to have the right to have a federally supervised private ballot election when deciding whether to organize a union. Conversely, an overwhelming majority opposes the Employee Free Choice Act, which would replace private ballots election with a process that would make public how each worker votes. The strong voter sentiment to protect a worker’s right to a federally supervised private ballot election is evident among all voter demographics including party affiliation and union households.

Voters feel so strongly about this issue that they indicate they will hold members of Congress accountable for their position during next year’s elections. Voters are overwhelmingly less likely to vote for a member of Congress who votes in favor of the Employee Free Choice Act. On the other hand, voters are very likely to rally behind and vote for a member of Congress who votes to protect a worker’s right to a private ballot election.

Almost 9 in 10 voters (87%) agree that “every worker should continue to have the right to a federally supervised secret ballot election when deciding whether to organize a union”.

Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with the following statement? “Every worker should continue to have the right to a federally supervised secret ballot election when deciding whether to organize a union.”

Four in five voters (79%) oppose the "The Employee Free Choice Act”, which would replace a federally supervised secret ballot election with a process that requires a majority of workers to simply sign a card to authorize organizing a union.

There is a bill in Congress called the Employee Free Choice Act which would replace a federally supervised secret ballot election with a process that requires a majority of workers to simply sign a card to authorize organizing a union and the workers’ signatures would be made public to their employer, the union organizers and their co-workers. Do you support or oppose Congress passing this legislation?

When asked to make a choice whether a worker’s vote to organize a union should remain private or be public information, 9 in 10 voters (89%) say it should remain private.

With a federally supervised secret ballot election, each worker’s ballot remains private. With the card
signing process, the information would be made public and union organizers, employers and co
workers would know how each worker voted. In deciding whether to organize a union, do you think a
worker’s vote should remain private or be public information?

919 Prince Street * Alexandria, Virginia 22314 * Phone: 703-518-4445 * FAX: 703-518-4447 566 South Route 303 * Blauvelt, NY 10913 * Phone: 845-365-2000 * FAX: 845-365-2008 www.mclaughlinonline.com

M&A McLaughlin & Associates

Nine in ten voters (89%) believe having a federally supervised secret ballot election is the best way to protect the individual rights of workers. Only 6% thinks the Employee Free Choice Act’s card signing process is better.

In your opinion, which election process is better to prevent interference or intimidation by employers or labor unions?

1. Having a process where a union is organized if a majority of workers simply sign a card and the workers’ signatures are made public to their employer, the union organizers and their co-workers.

2. Having a federally supervised secret ballot election where workers privately vote yes or no on whether to authorize union representation.

Seven in ten voters (70%) say that they would be less likely to vote for a member of Congress who voted in favor of taking away a worker's right to have a federally supervised secret ballot election to decide whether to organize a union.

Would you be more likely or less likely to vote for a member of Congress who voted in favor of taking away a worker’s right to have a federally supervised secret ballot election to decide whether to organize a union? If it would make no difference, just say so.

Methodology: This poll of 1,000 likely general election voters in the United States was conducted between January 28-31, 2007. An oversample of 120 union households was conducted, which brings the combined total of union households to 400. All interviews were conducted via telephone by professional interviewers. Interview selection was random within predetermined election units – in this case, the fifty states. These units were structured to correlate with actual voter turnout in a general election. This poll of 1,000 likely general election voters has an accuracy of +/- 3.1% at a 95% confidence interval. The 400 sample of union households has an accuracy of +/- 4.9% at a 95% confidence interval.

919 Prince Street * Alexandria, Virginia 22314 * Phone: 703-518-4445 * FAX: 703-518-4447

566 South Route 303 * Blauvelt, NY 10913 * Phone: 845-365-2000 * FAX: 845-365-2008

www.mclaughlinonline.com