The poll was conducted between January 22 – January 26, 2026, by Fleming and Associates, from Cumberland, Rhode Island. The sample size was 400 registered voters and has a plus/minus sampling ratio of 4.9%. Interviews were completed only with Rhode Island registered voters who passed a screen designed to establish their registration status.
Majority of Rhode Islanders Support Rhode Island Unions and Labor’s Legislative Agenda
As the General Assembly convenes for the 2026 legislative session, the Rhode Island AFL-CIO is releasing the results of its latest statewide survey of 400 registered voters, conducted in late January. The findings show a shift in how Rhode Islanders view the direction of the state — and continued strong support for organized labor and Rhode Island AFL-CIO policy priorities.
Rhode Islanders are now evenly divided on the direction of the state, with 44% saying Rhode Island is moving in the right direction and 44% saying it is moving in the wrong direction. This marks a significant improvement from 2025, when just 29% believed the state was headed in the right direction.
Support for the Rhode Island AFL-CIO continues to grow. Sixty-three percent (63%) of voters report a favorable opinion of the AFL-CIO. Sixty-three percent of voters also indicated their disapproval of President Trump.
Support for Key Legislative Issues
Union Members Compared to All Rhode Island Voters
- Career & Technical Education (CTE) Bond
- Union members: 95% support
- All voters: 87% support
- Limiting Self-Checkout Registers to Protect In-Person Jobs
- Union members: 71% support
- All voters: 65% support
- Linking the Minimum Wage to Inflation
- Union members: 71% support
- All voters: 67% support
- Millionaire / Wealth Tax on High-Income Earners
- Union members: 65% support
- All voters: 50% support
- Offshore Wind Construction
- Union members: 57% support
- All voters: 50% support
- Protecting Overtime Pay (Time-and-a-Half on Sundays & Holidays)
- Union members: 75% support
- All voters: 70% support
- Belief That Unions Are Necessary to Protect Workers
- Union members: 96% agree
- All voters: 70% agree
- Belief That Unions Serve an Important Purpose
- Union members: 90% agree
- All voters: 63% agree
“The results of this poll demonstrate strong support for organized labor and the issues our members advocate for. 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.” – Patrick Crowley, RI AFL-CIO President