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Scientific Poll Documents Overwhelming Customer Support for Union Workers in U S West Strike
A scientific survey conducted for the Communications Workers of America shows overwhelming public and customer support for union workers who are on strike at U S West. When asked initially, respondents supported the workers' position over the company's by a greater than 4-to-1 margin. After hearing more, an even larger number of respondents, some 72 percent, indicated their support for the employees in this dispute, with just 9 percent supporting management.
The random, cross sample of adults throughout the U S West region was conducted by the highly regarded political and public opinion polling firm of Lauer, Lalley and Victoria. (Conducted over Aug. 21-23, margin of error, plus/minus 4.9 percent).
On the key issues in the strike- excessive work hours, customer service and health care cost shifting-U S West customers clearly line up with CWA members in their efforts to maintain quality service, and keep good jobs with good standards in communities throughout the 14-state
U S West territory.
A full 88 percent of respondents disagree with the company's current policy of forcing employees to work as much as 70 hours a week, and 81 percent believe that U S West should hire more employees and create good jobs, instead of requiring employees to work harder and longer hours.
Poll results also showed that the public empathizes with employees who are forced to spend a significant amount of time away from their children. 74 percent agree that the company is stealing time away from employees' families and putting unnecessary strains on workers' marriages. Among other findings:
81 percent believe it strongly unfair that U S West wants to stop paying time and a half overtime pay for people who are working 12 or more hours a day.
76 percent say it is strongly unfair for the company to try and force workers into the cheapest HMOs.
84 percent of respondents don't support the company's pay plan, believing it will be based on production quotas, not on meeting customers' needs for service and quality
"This support for our fight at U S West isn't really surprising," said CWA President Morton Bahr. "It reflects the attitude of people across the country, who believe that U.S. companies, especially profitable telecom companies, should be setting the standard for good jobs, not forcing employees to work extreme hours and slashing workers' benefits."
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The random, cross sample of adults throughout the U S West region was conducted by the highly regarded political and public opinion polling firm of Lauer, Lalley and Victoria. (Conducted over Aug. 21-23, margin of error, plus/minus 4.9 percent).
On the key issues in the strike- excessive work hours, customer service and health care cost shifting-U S West customers clearly line up with CWA members in their efforts to maintain quality service, and keep good jobs with good standards in communities throughout the 14-state
U S West territory.
A full 88 percent of respondents disagree with the company's current policy of forcing employees to work as much as 70 hours a week, and 81 percent believe that U S West should hire more employees and create good jobs, instead of requiring employees to work harder and longer hours.
Poll results also showed that the public empathizes with employees who are forced to spend a significant amount of time away from their children. 74 percent agree that the company is stealing time away from employees' families and putting unnecessary strains on workers' marriages. Among other findings:
81 percent believe it strongly unfair that U S West wants to stop paying time and a half overtime pay for people who are working 12 or more hours a day.
76 percent say it is strongly unfair for the company to try and force workers into the cheapest HMOs.
84 percent of respondents don't support the company's pay plan, believing it will be based on production quotas, not on meeting customers' needs for service and quality
"This support for our fight at U S West isn't really surprising," said CWA President Morton Bahr. "It reflects the attitude of people across the country, who believe that U.S. companies, especially profitable telecom companies, should be setting the standard for good jobs, not forcing employees to work extreme hours and slashing workers' benefits."
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