As the nation takes a step back to appreciate labor history on September 7, Americans are giving unions a vote of confidence, with new polling showing more than 70% approve of unions.

The new Gallup poll also found nearly half of Americans think unions should have more influence, the highest level measured in 25 years.

Chuck Carver, a building service worker at Illinois State University, is one of them. A longtime member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 Local 1110 in Bloomington, Carver led the union through a historic 28-day strike this year. Carver said the effort built strong solidarity and bolstered broad local support.

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"We showed solidarity every day, picketing on the line," Carver asserted. "Then when hundreds of students stood up with us and staged a walkout, the faculty unions, the alumni, the elected officials, all the other unions throughout their community made us one day stronger, one day longer."

Carver added the strike ultimately preserved bargaining rights and delivered what he considers fair pay, dignity and respect. He noted the experience also gave students a firsthand look at how much students depend on campus workers, building interest from some students to organize unions themselves. Carver will be honored at the Bloomington Labor Day parade on Monday and was chosen to lead the procession.

Unions still have critics. Opponents said organized labor can drive up costs for employers, limit workplace flexibility and give union members advantages over nonunion workers. Carver countered the recent experience demonstrates a growing momentum for supporting collective bargaining.

"Our biggest obstacle right now is making sure that we all stand up for what we believe in because there's way too many higher powers trying to attempt to take it away from us," Carver contended. "I can tell you, as being a union person, we will not allow that to happen."

Despite growing public support, Gallup said Americans are skeptical unions will grow stronger, with 39% expecting union influence to weaken, compared with 27% who expect unions to grow.