Poll: 49% favor public-employee unions, 46% oppose

This week’s unsuccessful effort to recall Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is expected to prompt more states to cut the benefits of public employee unions in an effort to reduce sizable budget deficits. Americans still have mixed feelings about those unions but would much rather reduce their benefits than pay more taxes to fund them.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey, taken since Tuesday’s recall vote, finds that 49% of American Adults at least somewhat favor unions for public employees, including 23% who Strongly Favor them. Nearly as many (46%) oppose those unions, with 30% who Strongly Oppose them.