Kentuckians want state lawmakers to enact policies that support unionization and improve job quality, according to a new survey by national pollster Change Research. The poll finds broad, bipartisan support for raising pay, improving benefits, and giving workers a stronger voice on the job—reflecting deep concerns about affordability and a growing gap between the wealthy and everyone else.
“Unions talk to hard-working Kentuckians every day, and we know they want a real voice at work and dignity on the job,” said Dustin Reinstedler, president of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO. “This poll confirms that voters want lawmakers to remove barriers to joining a union and pass policies that directly improve pay, benefits, and working conditions.”
The poll shows that 85% of Kentucky voters want the state legislature to prioritize raising worker pay and improving worker benefits to be a priority of state government, including 43% who say it should be a top priority. Only 16% say it should be a low priority or not done at all.
Kentucky voters also express strong support for specific policies that strengthen worker power and improve job quality:
- 75% support expanding access to paid family leave and paid sick days, with only 19% opposed
- 71% support requiring corporations that receive tax breaks or public contracts to pay a living wage and not fight unionization, with 21% opposed
- 60% support making it easier for workers to join or form a union, with 30% opposed
- 56% support raising the minimum wage to $17 an hour, with 40% opposed
In addition, Kentucky voters view unions far more favorably than unfavorably, by a margin of 47% to 25%. The poll was conducted December 1–5, 2025, and surveyed a random sample of 2,079 Kentucky voters, with a margin of error of ±2.2%.
The results reflect widespread concern about affordability and economic fairness. Inflation and the cost of goods and services was identified as the most important issue to Kentucky voters personally. 70% cited grocery prices as one of their top household budget concerns, followed by electricity and utilities (55%) and health insurance and medical expenses (55%).
Kentuckians also believe the economy is not working well for everyday people. Compared to one year ago, 50% say the wealthy are doing better while average Americans are doing worse, and 18% say most or all people are doing worse. Only 31% believe most or all people are doing better.
“Kentuckians know the economy and policy process are rigged for the wealthy and powerful, and that their hard work isn’t being rewarded,” said Jason Bailey, executive director of the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy. “They want their leaders to prioritize legislation that makes life more affordable, and they see growing unions and raising labor standards as essential to that goal.”
The poll also shows that few Kentuckians say the legislature’s focus on cutting the state income tax has helped them. Instead, voters overwhelmingly prefer raising taxes on the wealthy and investing those revenues in schools, health care, and other public services. A strong majority also support taxing the richest 5% of Kentuckians to fund public investments that increase affordability, including child care, housing, and a child tax credit.
