This Labor Day brings word of a new Gallup poll showing that American public support for labor unions has taken a sharp dive in the last year and is at its lowest point since Gallup began polling in 1936.
Before this year, American support for unions had remained remarkably stable for nearly four decades.
The new poll also shows that many Americans believe the future is bleak for unions.
In response to the question, "Thinking about the future, do you think labor unions in this country will become stronger than they are today, the same as today, or weaker than they are today?" 48 percent said unions will become weaker, versus just 24 percent who said unions will become stronger.
Broken down by political party, Gallup found support for unions has fallen the most among critically-important independent voters.
Last year, 63 percent of independents said they approved of unions. Now, just 44 percent say the same thing.
Among Republicans, 29 percent support unions, versus 38 percent last year.
Only among Democrats does union support remain strong, although it, too, has fallen: 66 percent support today, versus 72 percent support a year ago.
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