Rhode Islanders remain pessimistic about the direction of the state, although they have a favorable view of organized labor and a number of the issues championed by unions, according to a new poll commissioned by the Rhode Island AFL-CIO.
Based on responses from 400 registered voters in early February, the poll done by Fleming & Associates of Cumberland found that just 29% of Rhode Islanders think the state is going in the right direction. Forty-eight percent say the state is on the wrong track, while 23% were unsure.
The poll has a margin of error of 4.9 percentage points.
Respondents were more favorable toward labor: 81% believe unions are necessary to protect working people, and 56% have a favorable view of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO.
On issues, 82% of respondents back protecting time and a half pay for Sundays and holidays, 70% favor raising Rhode Island’s minimum wage to $1 a year until it reaches $20 in 2030, and 69% support banning smoking at the state’s two casinos.
“The results of this poll demonstrate strong support for organized labor and the issues our members advocate for,” Patrick Crowley, president of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, said in a statement. “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 other issues, the poll found:
- 64% back banning the sale and manufacture of military-style assault weapons in the state;
- 70% prefer voters in individual cities and towns to decide whether to approve new charter schools, rather than school committees or a state board;
- 59% favor the development of wind power off the coastline;
- 54% support same-day voter registration;
- 55% think it’s important to limit payday lenders to an annual percentage rate equivalent to 28%.
Nurses have the best approval rating — 83% – of a number of occupations asked about during the poll, followed by firefighters (78%), classroom teachers (65%) and teaching assistants (57%).
The poll did not include questions about the approval of elected officials in Rhode Island.
This story was reported by the Public’s Radio.
