Despite the overwhelming victory by organized labor and its allies in repealing SB 5 in this past election, by 54 to 40 percent Ohio voters favor the idea of passing a “right-to-work” law that would ban workers from being required to join a union as a condition of employment, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
“Given the assumption that the SB 5 referendum was a demonstration of union strength in Ohio, the 54 – 40 percent support for making Ohio a ‘right-to-work’ state does make one take notice,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. “In the SB 5 referendum independent voters, who are generally the key to Ohio elections, voted with the pro-union folks to repeal the law many viewed as an effort to handicap unions. The data indicates that many of those same independents who stood up for unions this past November on SB 5 are standing up to unions by backing ‘right-to-work’ legislation.”
Support for “right-to-work” is 77 – 20 percent among Republicans and 55 – 39 percent among independent voters. Democrats are opposed 61- 31 percent.
A majority of men and women, those with and without college degrees and all age groups like the idea of Ohio becoming a “right-to-work” state. Support rises with income, from 48 – 44 percent among those making less than $30,000 per year to 59 – 39 percent among those making more than $100,000 per year. Voters in union households oppose such a law 65 – 32 percent.