OLYMPIA – Striking workers would be eligible for unemployment insurance under legislation passed today by the Washington State Senate.
“Workers deserve to be able to exercise their right to collectively bargain for fair wages and safe workplace conditions,” said Sen. Marcus Riccelli (D-Spokane), the bill’s sponsor. “This is a practical, low-cost step to ensure workers are not intimidated out of exercising that fundamental right because they are worried about putting food on the table or keeping a roof over their head.”
Senate Bill 5041 would allow individuals unemployed due to a labor strike to receive up to 12 weeks of unemployment insurance (UI) benefits following a qualifying strike event. Benefits would start 15 to 21 days after the strike begins, depending on what day the strike starts. If the contract is resolved before that time, no benefits would be issued.
Two other states − New Jersey and New York − have passed similar legislation. At least 13 states have introduced the policy since 2013.
The bill now moves to the House for consideration. Follow the bill’s progress here.
