A record 47% want stronger unions. Labor's challenge is turning support into power.

A new Gallup poll shows a historic 47% of Americans want stronger unions, including a notable 52% of Republicans, marking only the second time in 25 years that such a majority has emerged. Despite this growing support, union membership and influence remain low, and Congress has consistently stymied key labor initiatives. The challenge for unions now is to leverage this newfound approval to actually gain more power and address long-standing issues, as even among Republicans, nearly half don't want unions to have more clout. This shift could reshape labor's role in American politics if unions can effectively channel this support into tangible gains.