Press Release
04/16/08 -
Workers Tell Future President: “Decrease Outsourcing, Increase Living Wage”
Americans overwhelmingly want their next President to prioritize improving their standard of living, providing universal healthcare, and slowing the outsourcing of jobs overseas rather than making it easier for immigrants to live and work in the U.S., according to the latest “America At Work” national opinion survey by the non-partisan Employment Law Alliance (ELA).
The workplace-issues poll, based on a sampling of 1,125 working Americans between April 4 and 9, is believed to be the only national survey to date focusing exclusively on a wide range of workplace-related issues that will likely confront the next President, according to Stephen J. Hirschfeld, Esq., CEO of ELA. The error interval is +/- 2.99% at a 95% level of confidence.
“Americans are communicating their desires for future federal policy through this survey,” said Bruce R. Alper, a founding member of the ELA and Chair and of Vedder Price’s Labor and Employment Law Practice Area. “A representative sample of the workforce wants more attention placed on preserving jobs and creating universal healthcare coverage.”
A summary of the survey results, posted in detail at www.employmentlawalliance.com, reveals:
- 87% of Americans want their next President to focus on increasing the proportion of the workforce earning at least a living wage, closely followed (86%) by making it tougher for companies to outsource U.S. jobs to foreign countries, and (83%) providing healthcare coverage for all U.S. citizens
- 76% of Americans are also concerned - but not at the same intensity level - with having the next President work toward increasing workplace safety regulation, 70% support focusing on expanding family leave rules and 69% think beefing up enforcement of workplace discrimination laws should be a priority.
- In sharp contrast, 40% said they are concerned that their next President focuses on immigration issues, ranging from making it easier for professionals to work in the U.S. to granting amnesty for illegal aliens.
- Workers were also significantly split along racial lines regarding both views on workplace issues and immigration reform with, for example, 55% of non-whites supporting relaxing immigration laws for professionals versus 36% among whites.
- Geographically, 46% of workers in Western states thought the President should make increasing legal immigration a priority compared to a low of 25% among Midwestern workers.
- 45% of Americans want to make it easier for unions to organize workers.
Dr. Ted Reed, President of Philadelphia-based Reed Group and Poll Director for ELA, said the input from ELA's attorneys around the country was invaluable in shaping the questions for the survey, the 18th such national poll conducted for the organization. According to Dr. Reed, “This survey is important because of the extent of demographic detail, including gender, race, income, education, and geography. The focus on pocketbook issues across the board as a Presidential priority is unmistakable.”
The Employment Law Alliance is the world's largest integrated, global practice network comprised of premier, independent law firms distinguished for their practice in employment and labor law. Comprised of more than 3,000 lawyers, there are member firms in every jurisdiction in the United States and over 75 countries around the world. For further information, including access to the survey charts and graphs, visit: www.employmentlawalliance.com.
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