In the latest perennial poll of union sentiment, only 52 percent of Americans say that they approve of labor unions. Gallup’s latest poll notes that the percentage is the second lowest in the organization’s 70-year polling history on the issue, ahead only of last year’s 48 percent. The highest approval rating came in 1953 and 1957, when 75 percent of Americans voiced support for organized labor. Not surprisingly, the breakdown comes on largely political lines, with 71 percent of Democrats supporting unions, as opposed to 34 percent of Republicans and 49 percent of independents. Regardless of their preference, 46 percent of those polled believe that unions will weaken in the future, as compared to the 25 percent who believe unions will grow stronger. Gallup speculates that the economic downturn may be responsible for labor’s sagging ratings, citing its finding of a mild drop in union approval during the late 1970s and early 1980s as the US economy struggled through recession and stagflation. Gallup also speculates that the negative views may stem from the view that unions are likely to benefit or are benefitting from the policies of the Obama administration.