Northwest Public Broadcasting: Striking Workers in Washington Could Get Access to Unemployment Claims If Bill Passes

A proposed bill that would give striking workers some access to the state’s unemployment benefits is getting closer to becoming law in Washington.

Majority lawmakers in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards moved the bill out of committee on Friday, with a recommendation to pass it. This is after the bill narrowly passed the Senate with 28 yeas and 21 nays earlier this month.

 Striking workers and their families deserve the same financial support and should not be pushed into poverty for exercising their legally protected right to strike to obtain good jobs.

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“ Striking workers and their families deserve the same financial support and should not be pushed into poverty for exercising their legally protected right to strike to obtain good jobs,” said Alexa Tapia, with the National Employment Law Project.

The bill puts Washington on par with other states, like New Jersey and New York, that have these protections, Tapia said. There are other states that grant access to unemployment for striking workers in some instances. She also said it aligns with the intent of unemployment insurance.

“ (Unemployment insurance) was established to safeguard workers and their families against an unexpected loss of income due to unemployment and to prevent jobless workers from being obligated to accept employment that is unsafe, unsuitable or poor match for their skills and abilities,” Tapia said. That can drive down wages and depress labor standards for all workers, she said.

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Read and listen to the full story at nwpb.org.