Union Support Reaches 25-Year High Amid AI Shift

Public support for labor unions has reached a 25-year high, with 47% of Americans saying unions should have more influence and 71% approving of them. Support is strongest among Democrats but has also risen among independents and Republicans, even as fewer Americans expect unions to gain strength. At the same time, unions are confronting the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and seeking transparency, worker protections and a meaningful role in decisions about how the technology is deployed. Building-trades unions have welcomed AI-related growth, particularly the boom in data centers, which is creating substantial demand for skilled workers despite broader concerns about layoffs and workplace disruption. Union leaders are therefore trying to ensure workers have a seat at the table while also pursuing gains on wages, organizing and political priorities.