Forty-eight percent (48%) of Americans have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of labor unions, while 42% view them at least somewhat unfavorably.

But a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds slightly stronger feelings on the negative side: While 15% view unions very favorably, 21% have a very unfavorable regard for them.

These findings are little changed from March but reflect an eight-point drop in favorability since last August.

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Union membership has been in decline for a generation, particularly among private sector employees. Union leaders and some Democrats in Congress are pushing for legislation that would make it easier to form a union. The country is fairly evenly divided on that approach: 34% believe Congress should make it easier to form or join a union, 36% disagree, and 29% aren’t sure.

There’s a similar division among all Americans when asked if labor unions are good or bad for the economy. Thirty-four percent (34%) say good, but the identical number (34%) say they’re bad for the economy. Twenty-one percent (21%) regard them as neither.

Still, 43% say they would rather work for a company that has a union, while 37% would prefer a non-union employer. Twenty percent (20%) are undecided.

The proposed legislation, known as the Employee Free Choice Act, would allow the formation of a union if enough employees turned in cards requesting one and would not require a secret ballot vote as is now the law. But 52% of Americans do not believe it is fair to form a union without a secret vote.

Fifty-six percent (56%) of Democrats have a favorable opinion of unions, while 53% of Republicans view them unfavorably. Adults not affiliated with either party are closely divided on the question.

A majority of Republicans (53%) oppose making it easier to unionize, but a plurality of Democrats (44%) and unaffiliated adults (40%) think it’s a good idea.

Fifty-two percent (52%) of adults say it is at least somewhat difficult to form a union, including 32% who say it is very difficult. Just 19% say it’s not very or not at all difficult.

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