RI AFL-CIO polling: Rhode Islanders support raising the minimum wage, offshore wind, and unions

"Rhode Island is a labor state, and our unions fight every day to improve the lives of working women and men, regardless of whether they are in a union or not yet union members."

From a Rhode Island AFL-CIO press release:

The Rhode Island AFL-CIO released the results of a public opinion poll yesterday conducted by Fleming and Associates of Cumberland, Rhode Island. The poll, conducted in early February, surveyed 400 registered voters in Rhode Island and had a plus/minus ratio of 4.9%. It showed strong support among registered voters for the Rhode Island labor movement and the issues organized labor advocates for.

“The results of this poll demonstrate strong support for organized labor and the issues our members advocate for,” said Rhode Island AFL-CIO President Patrick Crowley. “Rhode Island is a labor state, and our unions fight every day to improve the lives of working women and men, regardless of whether they are in a union or not yet union members. We will continue to organize for laws and policies that protect workers and enhance their quality of life in the Ocean State.”

Among the findings are:

• Only 29% of voters feel the State of Rhode Island is moving in the right direction, versus 48% who think it is moving in the wrong direction.

• 81% of Rhode Island voters agree that labor unions are necessary to protect the working person.

• 74% of Rhode Island voters believe that Unions serve an important purpose by helping working people.

• 56% of Rhode Island voters have a favorable opinion of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO.

On the issues organized labor advocates for in Rhode Island:

• 82% of Rhode Island voters believe we should protect “time and a half pay” on Sundays and Holidays.

• 70% of Rhode Island voters support increasing the minimum wage by $1 per year for the next 5 years, raising the rate to $20 per hour by 2030.

• 69% of voters support banning smoking in Rhode Island’s two casinos.

• 64% of Rhode Island voters support banning the sale and manufacture of military assault-style weapons in Rhode Island.

• 70% of voters prefer that new charter schools be approved by voters in their city and town rather than the Board of Education or local school committees.

• 59% of voters support offshore wind power development along Rhode Island’s coast.

• 54% of voters support allowing people to register and vote on the same day as an election.

• 55% of voters think limiting payday loan interest to a 28% annual interest rate is important.