By JODI SOKOLOWSKI
Buffalo Law Journal

Sen. Barack Obama is the presidential candidate whose views on workplace issues Americans most support, according to a poll conducted by a national lawyers' group.

The Employment Law Alliance conducted a survey of 1,159 U.S. workers the week after the Democratic and Republican parties announced their tickets for November's presidential election. In addition to questions regarding presidential candidates, the America at Work survey asked respondents about their concerns in four employment-related areas.

The study's chief findings:

• 51 percent of respondents are worried about finding a new job if they lose their current one;

• 45 percent are troubled by the increasing cost to workers of employer-sponsored health-care plans;

• 37 percent fear losing a job due to poor economic conditions; and

• 28 percent are concerned about fewer job opportunities due to outsourcing.

ELA member Ginger Schröder of Schröder Joseph and Associates LLP in Buffalo, the ELA affiliate for Western New York, said the study's findings are significant because voters are likely to select the candidate they believe is most likely to help their families survive a recession.

"Workers in this election, more than ever before, will be voting with their wallets (because) gross domestic product, industrial production, jobs, income and spending are all spiraling down together," said Schröder, a Democrat who said she plans to vote for the Republican McCain-Palin ticket.

A University at Buffalo political-science professor said he's skeptical of the survey, calling it "biased."

"It appears to be a poll of some sort done by a political group with a definite political agenda," said James Campbell, chair of UB's political science department.

Another ELA member voiced concern that the organization is delving into political issues.

"It is very disappointing that a group like the Employment Law Alliance would decide to enter the political arena when that is not their purpose, on the basis of which its members have participated in (the organization)," said Robert Doren, managing partner of Bond Schoeneck & King PLLC's Buffalo office. His firm is ELA's affiliate for Upstate New York.

"They have not been authorized (by members) to partake in the presidential election proces," Doren, a Republican, said of the ELA. "The survey, which is highly questionable and leaves little doubt to the purpose for its creation, is highly suspect in its results."

"The concept of this poll was cleared with the membership by the CEO," Schröder responded. "If (Doren) had something interesting to say at that point, or an issue with it, he should have raised it."