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.

If passed, the bill would allow workers that are striking to bargain for better pay and working conditions to reach a first contract, or under other protected instances, to collect unemployment benefits. These workers could only collect those benefits after about a two-week waiting period and would be capped at 12 weeks of benefits. Workers whose employers lock them out of their jobs during labor disputes, like what happened with Boeing firefighters in 2024, would also be eligible.

“I strongly support efforts for workers to get fair wages, good benefits and safe working conditions,” said Sen. Marcus Riccelli, who is the primary sponsor on the bill. 

Riccelli said since 2021, only 11 strikes in the state have lasted more than 14 days, and none of those were by employees at businesses with fewer than 50 employees.

In a House public hearing for the bill, supporters shared how they think this bill would even the playing field for workers trying to exercise their rights.

“ 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. 

But those opposed to the bill do not think labor strikes are a proper use of the fund. Lindsey Hueer, with Association of Washington Businesses, said she thinks it’s inappropriate to ask employers to pay for unemployment for striking workers. 

“ (Unemployment insurance) should be a safety net for workers that have no job to return to, and that’s not the case for striking workers,” Hueer said. 

There’s been debate over what impact the legislation could have on businesses around the state, particularly smaller ones.

The way the bill is written, employers would absorb the cost of their striking employees withdrawing unemployment through the individual tax they pay for unemployment insurance, called the experience tax. Only when an employer reaches the maximum rate class set by the state, which is based on the amount of benefits charged to that employer (relative to the employer’s taxable wages) over four years, would the additional costs be socialized and potentially impact all businesses. This is unlikely to happen due to a strike, according to the fiscal note.  

At the hearing, workers spoke of the financial hardships they have faced during strikes, including Jan “Mikey” Abapo, with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. During the 2024 strike, he said he and his family struggled to make ends meet and had to make the tough decision not to help his mother with medical bills. 

“ The pain of not being able to help my mother during that time was unbearable,” Abapo said. “We were terrified. No one should have to choose between supporting their family and basic necessities.”

If the bill passes, its provisions would expire in December 2035. Lawmakers would also need to annually report on the bill.