Do you believe labor unions help or hurt the economy?

Help, but ban their ability to make political donations

Help, in theory but have recently become corrupt and should have their powers limited

Help,but only if their viewpoint comes from a nationalistic standpoint.

Help, but limit the powers of certain unions with a history of corruption or lack of accountability like police unions

Help, but limit the powers of unions with a history of corruption or obstructing accountability such as police unions

Help, but limit the powers of unions with a history of avoiding accountability for misconduct like police unions

By and large, the time has passed when unions were critical, but they should not be banned. However, hey should also not be able to force employees to join

Both. As a bulwark against abuse of workers, unions provide an invaluable service to their members. However, too many unions have abandoned this basic responsibility in favor of exerting political power to protect outmoded practices and impede innovation.

Help, unions have helped improve labor conditions over the decades. But, leadership can get faulty, so its good to stay aware and reform to the needs of the people under the unions.

Maybe unions always help the economy because the economy should be about the people and grassroots movements focusing on the people and workers are necessary

Help,However these Labor unions must be Controlled and Organized by the state.With Independent labor unions banned

There are instances where they help, and others where they have hurt. Strong labor unions are necessary to ensure powerful organization do not suppress worker's rights.

I am torn on this. I think setting up a union is an important right for Americans and theoretically helps with the balance of power between owners, management and workers, but the standards need to be very high. It should not be used to get paid more working less, or to over-protect underperforming workers

After the client of labor unions in the latter half of the 20th century, many jobs were lost, and salaries went down. Labor unions have the ability to help the economy by promoting better wages, benefits, and working conditions for the workers. But the issue with labor unions is they can become corrupt and can drive corporations and companies into the mud never rise again. Labor unions can definitely help, but they can also hurt. It is important we find a balance between how much can a union realistically demand and how much is a company allowed to say no to before they have to give in. Is also important to remember that labor unions do not always represent their workers, Sometimes have favorite groups or sometimes they fight for benefits for those under them and it is not always what The workers demanded.

Help, but with a focus on ensuring they operate with integrity and true representation of their members' needs.

Hurt, the Government should abolish all forms of unions and have all union members receive the death penalty.

Help,However I’m in favor of Labour Unions being Controlled And organized by the State.And no independent Labour Unions Allowed

Labor unions are supposed to protect workers. If the economy is affected negatively it means the corporations were abusing their workers and now the bad economy is a byproduct of corruption coming to light.

Hurt, but we should protect workers' rights

Labor unions should be formed in response to a major issue that requires group action, solve said issue, then dissolve instead of becoming lobbying groups.

Help, but police unions need to be abolished.

Help, but it will be better if the unions take over the workplace

Labor unions definitely hurt the economy, but I still support them because workers/employees need power too

This is a ridiculous question. The purpose of unions is not to impact the economy but to help workers.

Even if they hurt the economy in the sense of making corporations pay more, worker’s right matter more

Depends on how much the union leadership exploits their position for their own personal gain

I think labor unions help the economy. My Grandpa was actually in a labor union.

Labor unions are meant to protect employees from employer abuses. This is a necessary harm to the economy that maintains a quality of life

Unions created safe working environments and livable wages. However, they have become too political. Pros and cons of unions.

They are a check on corporate power, and are more necessary the less that government does.

Help, except in the case of some unions where the people working need to be held publicly accountable, like the police union and occasionally teacher's union

The purpose of labor unions is not to help the economy, it's to help workers.

they help but they shouldn't need to exist

Labor unions generally help the economy by raising wages, reducing inequality, improving safety and productivity, and stabilizing consumption, though excessive rigidity or overreach can create localized inefficiencies.

Hurt, only government workers should not be allowed to unionize and fees should never be required for non-union workers.

It strongly depends on the union, some are better than others. I support the freedom to form a union but the powers of them should be determined between the union and it's business.

We need both in order to keep the market going. Unions are becoming corrupt. Small businesses should be more supported.

They do help but I think they shouldn’t lobby. They create plenty of middle to high middle class jobs

I don’t think unions should exist. Job security should be a thing without needing a union to back you up.

the help the people involved, but makes things more expensive in america. also the police unions need to be abolished.

Help but should have zero ability to make political donations. Often corrupt, needs much more transparency. Embezzlement needs to be eradicated within its ranks and daily dealings

Hurt, their original benefit has long since expired and they've now become too politically influential

Help, but they sould'nt be able to go past protesting and talking with the government, there should be police there at all protests and remove anyone who gets too unruly.

Help, unions function as a wage benchmark/floor, which pushes non-union wages through spillover effect and threat of unionization.

Both. They can help people maintain adequate wages and insurance coverage to maintain productivity and keep money flowing in the economy. They can hurt the economy by preventing the technological development of factories, like preventing factory jobs from being taken by robots, decreasing prices and increasing supply.

Labor unions can be a detriment in some circumstances and hurt in others. Bad for public school districts, good in private businesses.

It is beneficial to have unions represent you, but they have become too powerful. They should instead be there for support and advice.

I believe they are incredibly helpful for countless tradesmen, giving them reliable jobs and pensions. I do not know enough about union work to have a full opinion on this, but I do know countless people rely on unions for a career.

While they can hurt the economy at times the benefits in protecting humane rights outweighs the harm. The harm to the economy is manageable in my opinion with some creative problem solving.

Labor unions should be controlling the economy and their respective trades, some kind of syndicalism

I feel both because there comes a creation of an outcry from employees and it may lead to better pay/conditions, but at the same time it hurts the company, and in certain circumstances, the hurt overpowers the help (hurt)

Help, but the government should pass a national right-to-work law and not interfere in labor-management relations one way or another

They help in certain areas, but not in all instances. Many areas of the country have developed without unions, so there are other protections in place.

Helpful on the whole, but that has to be understood in the context that unions are part and parcel of a system with a variety of competing interests. That said, public unions ought to be heavily weakened, if not dismantled outright.

They help, only In times it's completely necessary, otherwise they shouldn't be formed if it's on reasons that do not benefit the people. Unnecessary rebellions against the federal government whenever they are trying to aid the country, should not be formed.

Some Unions likely are corrupt or incompetent, but also companies find ways to use unions or prevent their existence, so a more complex solution is likely needed

Help, and should be strengthened, but also reformed so that they do not protect bad actors and cannot make political donations or form Super PACs

Labor unions have a generally positive effect on the economy, as they boost wages, reduce inequality, and improve productivity by giving workers more say in the workplace, leading to a stronger middle class and more resilient economy. Studies, including a report from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, suggest that unions contribute to economic growth and resilience by lowering income inequality, improving working conditions, and increasing employee engagement and productivity. While some argue unions can increase costs and prices, the prevailing evidence indicates that the benefits of incre…  Read moreased worker compensation and economic stability outweigh these concerns for the economy as a whole.

How Unions Benefit the Economy
Increased Worker Wages and Benefits:
Unions negotiate for higher wages and more comprehensive benefits for their members, which can also have a positive spillover effect, leading to wage increases in non-unionized companies.
Reduced Wage Inequality:
By advocating for egalitarian wage practices and reducing wage gaps, unions help to create a fairer economy.
Improved Productivity and Reduced Turnover:
Unions can improve productivity by giving experienced workers a greater input in workplace procedures and by creating more stable and safer work environments, which reduces employee turnover.
Economic Stability and Growth:
Unions contribute to a more robust and resilient economy by strengthening the middle class, promoting greater economic equality, and ensuring workers have more wealth-building opportunities.
Positive Fiscal Impact:
Higher incomes for union workers mean more taxes paid, leading to increased government revenue and less reliance on public assistance programs.
Addressing Criticisms
Cost Increases:
.
While unions aim to increase wages and benefits, traditional economic theory suggests this could lead to higher prices for goods and services, potentially making consumers poorer. However, the broader economic benefits of increased demand from higher wages often offset

Both I think they help the economy for employees to see how they can make an influence on the economy but it hurts because they do not see how corruption takes hold and we need to implement reforms on labor unions

Depending on the people's values and goals, as well as the way they go about it. It should be peaceful and controlled. Mostly, it helps the economy learn and grow.

I think its important to have labor unions however some definitely do hurt the economy or don't do anything for it, in rare cases help due to people wanting to work there

Get the corruption out and continue to help it's members but members don't get priority over non members

Labor unions should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine their effect(s) on the economy. I feel the same way, not every labor union helps and not every labor union hurts