A new survey released by the AFL-CIO in early January shows 78 percent of those polled want to see legislation that protects workers’ freedom to form unions and bargain for a better life—a strong signal to lawmakers to pass the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA).

The survey of 1,007 adults across the country, conducted Dec. 4-10 for the AFL-CIO by Peter D. Hart Research Associates, shows a striking level of support for EFCA provisions and the freedom to form unions. This support crosses party and state lines, with 74 percent of those who identify as moderate or liberal Republicans in favor.

Among the key findings:

• 75 percent of those surveyed support recognizing a union when a majority of workers have signed up in support.
• 64 percent support strengthening penalties against companies who illegally intimidate or fire workers who are trying to form a union.
• 61 percent favor binding arbitration if a company will not agree to a first contract. (This provision had the highest number of respondents who weren’t sure how they felt about it.)