February 23, 2024
Bipartisan polling firm RABA Research conducted an online survey of 505 West Virginians between February 22 – 23, 2024. The survey looked at respondents’ opinions of organized labor unions and variety of workplace issues being considered by West Virginia’s legislature.
Of particular note, 94% of respondents believe “West Virginia’s workers should have the freedom to join a union”.
The survey investigated a series of topics dealing with increasing pay for public employees and found overwhelming support to do so.
- “Do you favor raising teacher pay to help fill the 1,700 vacant teaching positions in West Virginia caused by low teacher pay relative to our neighboring states?” 82% of respondents answered “Yes”.
- “Currently, National Guard troops are filling vacant corrections officer positions caused by low pay. Do you favor increasing the pay for corrections officers to fill these vacant positions?” 79% of respondents answered “Yes”.
- “Do you favor raising teacher and school service personnel pay to offset the losses caused by significance health insurances premium increases enacted by the legislature?” 78% of respondents answered “Yes”.
62% of respondents do not “support drastically decreasing the length of time out of work West Virginians are able to collect unemployment benefits”. And 74% of respondents do not “support weakening West Virginia’s child labor laws to allow teenagers to work without limitations on school time hours or night shifts?”
Key Findings: Below are several key findings from the research.
- Governor Jim Justice is viewed favorably by 63% of respondents and unfavorably by 29%.
- Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is viewed favorably by 38% of respondents and unfavorably by 32%.
- Former State Delegate Moore Capito is viewed favorably by 44% of respondents and unfavorably by 29%.