OLYMPIA, Wash. – A new bill, Senate Bill 5041, that allows workers on strike to collect unemployment insurance benefits has passed the House and awaits the governor’s signature.
The legislation, which now limits benefits to four weeks for striking workers, was approved with a 52-43 vote.
Rep. Suzanne Schmidt (R-Spokane Valley), ranking member on the House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee, shared her concerns about the bill. She emphasized that unemployment insurance is intended for individuals who lose their jobs through no fault of their own, not for those choosing to strike.
“Many employers in our state are already struggling financially and navigating an unfriendly business climate. Increasing unemployment insurance tax rates will hurt their bottom lines and add to their economic uncertainty. This policy will upset the balance in union and employer negotiations and likely lead to more frequent and longer strikes. I fear many businesses will leave our state.” said Schmidt said on the House floor, April 12.
The bill introduces modifications to the disqualification period for striking workers, allowing benefits to begin under certain conditions. However, striking workers can receive benefits for no more than four weeks, as stated in a new amendment to the bill.
“I think this creates a better balance for employers and employees,” Rep. April Connors (R-Kennewick) testified on the House floor, April 12. “The employer, it gives them an opportunity and the employers to start working on a solution to the strike while not tapping into that unemployment insurance fund and costing a lot of money in that way. And it gives the employee an incentive also to be working with the employer to end the strike. I think it’s a good bill or a good amendment that adds a lot of balance to the bill and is not unreasonable.”
The Employment Security Department (ESD) will report annually on the impact of strikes on the unemployment insurance trust fund until 2035. This will include data on the number of strikes, participating employees, and the financial effects on employers, said language in the bill.
