Latest news with #SenateBill5041
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Washington will pay unemployment benefits to striking workers
Labor advocates filled up the governor's conference room on Monday, May 19, 2025 and watched Gov. Bob Ferguson sign Senate Bill 5041, which extends unemployment insurance to striking workers. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard) Labor advocates scored a win on Monday after Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a new law to extend unemployment benefits to striking workers in Washington. The governor's conference room was packed with advocates and lawmakers who gathered to see Ferguson sign the law with his blue felt tip pen. 'Allowing striking workers to access unemployment insurance benefits creates a more level playing field for workers to have the resources they need to effectively bargain for better working conditions,' Ferguson said before putting his signature on Senate Bill 5041. The new law goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2026 and is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2035. Washington joins New York and New Jersey as the only states that provide such benefits to striking workers. The bill generated controversy during the legislative session, with Republicans and business groups opposing the idea, arguing that it will encourage more workers to go on strike and result in higher costs for businesses. Democrats and labor advocates say this law will disincentivize bad faith behavior by employers and encourage them to engage with their workers. 'No one wants to go out on strike,' said April Sims, president of the Washington State Labor Council. 'Going out on strike is the absolute last resort, and workers that strike do so because there is simply no other option.' The bill went through several rounds of negotiations over how long workers could collect unemployment insurance. Unemployment insurance is typically available for up to 26 weeks. When the bill first passed the Senate, the benefits would be extended for up to 12 weeks for strikers. But when it passed the House, the threshold was lowered to four weeks. Lawmakers ultimately settled on six weeks. Workers will be eligible for unemployment benefits starting 15 to 21 days after the strike begins, depending on the day the strike starts. If the contract is resolved before that time, benefits will not be issued. The benefits will also be extended to workers affected by an employer-initiated lockout, something labor advocates point to as a tactic businesses use to put pressure on workers during contract negotiations. The state's Employment Security Department will also be required to submit annual reports to the Legislature with data on the number of strikes in the state and the cost of benefits for striking workers for Washington's unemployment insurance trust fund, which is funded by a tax on employers.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Striking worker unemployment benefit bill headed to WA governor
Mat Farnum, center, pickets outside Angel of the Winds Arena as striking Boeing employees pass through to vote on a contract Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry for Washington State Standard) Unemployment benefits for striking workers are close to becoming law in Washington after a compromise proposal cleared the state House and Senate. Striking workers could expect to receive the benefits for up to six weeks under the legislation. Senate Bill 5041 now awaits a signature from Gov. Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, who has remained silent on his position on the bill. Earlier in the legislative session, the Senate approved a 12-week limit on striking workers receiving the benefits, and the House approved four weeks. Typically, unemployment insurance is available for up to 26 weeks a year. Both chambers approved the six-week proposal on Friday. 'I think really the only changes to this are that it went to six weeks and I think it's a nice compromise,' said the bill's prime sponsor, Sen. Marcus Riccelli, D-Spokane. Republicans still oppose the bill, arguing that it will encourage more workers to go on strike and result in higher costs for businesses. 'When you look at how this is going to work in a large, long-term strike, I think everybody's going to pay at some level, and that just seems frankly unfair to me,' said Senate Minority Leader John Braun, R-Centralia. Workers would be eligible for unemployment benefits starting the second Sunday after a strike begins, plus a one-week waiting period. The benefits would also be extended to workers affected by an employer-initiated lockout, something labor advocates point to as a tactic businesses can use to put pressure on workers during contract negotiations. Benefits would have to be repaid if a strike is determined to be prohibited by state or federal law. The bill would require the state's Employment Security Department to submit annual reports to the Legislature with data on the prevalence of strikes in the state and the cost of benefits for striking workers for Washington's unemployment insurance trust fund. If it becomes law, the bill would take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, and is set to expire Dec. 31, 2035. Washington would join New York and New Jersey, which already provide unemployment insurance for striking workers.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WA House and Senate reach deal on unemployment benefits for striking workers
Boeing machinists take to the picket line in front of Boeing's Paine Field facility as thousands of IAM District 751 workers began their strike on Friday, Sep. 13, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Photo by Ryan Berry/Washington State Stadnard) Lawmakers in the Washington House and Senate have struck an agreement to provide up to six weeks of unemployment insurance for striking workers. Both chambers approved Senate Bill 5041 this year to open the safety net program to striking workers, but they set different limits for the amount of time people could receive benefits. The Senate approved a 12-week limit, the House four weeks. Sen. Marcus Riccelli, D-Spokane, said the six-week compromise hits a 'sweet spot,' addressing concerns from businesses while leveling the playing field for low-wage workers. Labor unions and Democratic lawmakers have pressed for the bill, arguing the benefits will help striking workers afford necessities such as food and rent when negotiating for better wages and working conditions. When the bill passed the Senate last month, an amendment that would have restricted unemployment benefits to four weeks failed by one vote. Then, in mid-April, the House amended the bill ahead of a floor vote to add the four-week limit. Gov. Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, has not publicly taken a position on the bill. Under the bill, workers would become eligible for unemployment benefits on the second Sunday after a strike begins, plus a one-week waiting period. Typically, unemployment insurance is offered for up to 26 weeks a year. If a strike is determined to be prohibited by state or federal law, benefits would have to be repaid. Workers affected by employer-initiated lockouts would also be eligible for the benefits. Labor advocates point to lockouts as a tactic businesses can use to put pressure on workers during contract negotiations. New Jersey and New York are the only states that provide unemployment insurance for striking workers. Republicans opposed the bill. They, along with business groups, argue it could incentivize workers to strike and result in higher costs for businesses that could spill over onto employers not involved in labor disputes. 'If employers aren't healthy, you don't have workers and when we don't have healthy employers, we're not going to have a healthy economy,' said Rep. Suzanne Schmidt, R-Spokane Valley. The bill would also require the state's Employment Security Department to submit annual reports to the Legislature with data on the prevalence of strikes in the state and the cost of benefits for striking workers for Washington's unemployment insurance trust fund. If passed, the bill would take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, and is set to expire Dec. 31, 2035. Both chambers have to wait 24 hours before putting the bill up for a vote, which means it could gain final approval from the Legislature as early as Friday. The session ends Sunday.
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WA House OKs unemployment benefits for striking workers, but adds four-week limit
A strike sign is seen on display as Boeing workers gather on a picket line near the entrance to a Boeing facility during an ongoing strike on October 24, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by) Organized labor secured a major win Saturday as Democrats in the state House pushed through legislation to provide striking workers in Washington with unemployment benefits. But union leaders were not all smiles afterward. The bill was amended on the floor to impose a four-week limit on receiving benefits, eight weeks less than the version approved in the Senate. Senate Bill 5041 passed the House on a 52-43 vote with seven Democrats joining Republicans in voting against the measure. The Senate must now decide if it will agree with the revisions or insist on its position. When the bill came up for a vote last month, Senate Democrats narrowly defeated an amendment for a four-week limit before passing the bill 28-21. New Jersey and New York are the only states with such provisions for striking workers. Oregon lawmakers are debating legislation this year that would offer unemployment benefits to striking workers there. On Saturday, Democratic lawmakers said the bill ensures workers who choose to walk off the job will be less stressed about going without pay and seeing their finances erode in a lengthy dispute. With the threat of economic hardship eased, workers will be in a better position to endure lengthy negotiations. 'Fundamentally, this takes a step to level the playing field for striking workers,' said Rep. Beth Doglio, D-Olympia. Republicans argued that providing benefits would be an incentive for union workers to strike. They tried unsuccessfully to amend the bill to exclude public school teachers and hospital workers. 'If you are paying people to strike, you will have more strikes,' said Rep. Jeremie Dufault, R-Selah. The policy only assures a level of benefits is available 'for workers when they do go on strike,' said Rep. April Berg, D-Mill Creek. 'The state is not paying workers to strike.' Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, said the bill is unfair because taxpayers and businesses with no involvement in a labor disagreement will have their contributions to the unemployment insurance fund go to striking workers. 'People who are not a party to the disagreement will pay for it,' he said. As written, a striking worker would become eligible for benefits on the second Sunday following the first day of a strike, provided that the strike is not found to be prohibited by federal or state law. Workers would be subject to a one-week waiting period after they become eligible for benefits. If a strike is determined to be prohibited by state or federal law, any benefits paid are liable for repayment. Employees would also qualify for unemployment insurance during employer-initiated labor lockouts. Lockouts are one way management can pressure a striking workforce during contract negotiations. Rep. Kristine Reeves, D-Federal Way, authored the amendment for the four-week limit on receiving benefits. It passed on a voice vote. Normally, unemployment insurance is available for up to 26 weeks in a one-year period. If the bill becomes law, the changes would take effect Jan. 1, 2026, and last through Dec. 31, 2035.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Unemployment benefits for striking workers gain approval from Washington Senate
Boeing machinists take to the picket line in front of Boeing's Paine Field facility as IAM District 751 workers began their strike on Friday, Sep. 13, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Photo by Ryan Berry/Washington State Standard) Workers in Washington moved a step closer to gaining access to unemployment insurance during strikes, after a bill that would extend the benefits passed the state Senate on Friday. Under Senate Bill 5041, workers would become eligible for unemployment benefits on the second Sunday after a strike begins, plus a one-week waiting period. Unemployment insurance would also open up to people blocked from working by employers through lockouts — a tactic that can be used to pressure employees during labor negotiations. A similar bill won approval in the state House last year, but failed to receive a vote in the Senate. Labor unions are among the bill's backers. Supporters say the legislation would help ensure striking workers can afford necessities such as food and rent. They also argue that dragging out negotiations is becoming a more common bargaining strategy for employers. This can leave striking workers in a weakening position as they go without pay and their finances erode. 'Affordability is the number one issue for Americans right now,' said the bill's sponsor, Sen. Marcus Riccelli, D-Spokane, adding his legislation is about 'making sure people who do important jobs and important work have good benefits, good pay, safe work conditions.' The Senate approved the bill on a 28-21 vote, with Democratic Sens. Mike Chapman, D-Port Angeles, and Lisa Wellman, D-Mercer Island, joining Republicans in opposition. New Jersey and New York already have similar laws in place. Oregon state lawmakers are debating legislation this year that would offer unemployment benefits to striking workers there. Business groups and Republicans are opposed to the Washington bill. They've argued that the change would result in higher costs for businesses and is potentially unfair to employers and workers not involved in labor disputes. 'We're putting our businesses at a great disadvantage by passing this bill,' said Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima. 'We truly are. We're just driving them out of this state. We're making it impossible for them to operate here and be successful.' A Boeing factory worker strike last year that stretched nearly two months underscored concerns about extended walkouts that could lead to unemployment insurance expenses piling up. But labor advocates say strikes lasting more than two weeks are rare. The version of the bill the Senate approved included an amendment from Riccelli that would limit unemployment benefits for striking workers to 12 weeks. Normally, unemployment insurance is available for up to 26 weeks over a year. A proposed amendment from Senate Minority Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, that would've changed the time limit for benefits to four weeks, failed by one vote. Five Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the proposed change. Last year's bill contained a four-week limit. Riccelli's amended bill also calls for the availability of benefits to striking and locked-out workers to expire after 10 years. The bill would take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. Unemployment insurance is funded by state and federal taxes that employers pay. A sudden surge in claims can drain a state's unemployment trust fund and drive up tax rates. Taxes individual companies pay rise to cover resulting costs as more of their employees tap unemployment. This would be the case for employers whose workers are on strike. Reporter Jake Goldstein-Street and editor Bill Lucia contributed to this report.
