Unemployment insurance for strikers gets a hearing – In a rematch of last year’s major legislative fight, a bill to grant unemployment insurance (UI) benefits to striking workers is under consideration in Olympia.
AGC opposes SB 5041, sponsored by Sen. Marcus Riccelli (D-3), which allows UI benefits for those involved in a strike. Unlike last year’s version, which had a 4-week maximum for UI benefits for strikers, this bill does not have a limit. Last year’s bill also included public employees; this bill does not.
“We believe this bill undermines the established process that allows both sides to work together toward a resolution,” AGCW Lobbyist Michele Willms told the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee. “The result could be prolonged strikes and significant disruptions, which could have financial impacts on the entire construction industry. The impact of prolonged strikes is not hypothetical. In 2022, the Teamster concrete strike which lasted 140 days resulted in the layoff of nearly 15,000 workers across multiple trades and projects. This affected everyone from crane operators to carpenters. The disruption had a ripple effect on projects across the region.”
AGCW is working with a broad business coalition to oppose the bill. The Association of Washington Business points out that Washington has some of the highest unemployment insurance taxes in the country and provides the highest weekly UI benefit. If adopted, SB 5041 would likely require all employers to pay more to support the UI system. And, it is estimated that $57 million would have been the cost to the state’s UI trust fund if the bill had been in place during the recent Boeing workers strike.
The Labor Committee held a hearing on the bill last week but as of press time it had not been scheduled for a committee vote (but such action is expected). For more information contact AGC Lobbyist Michele Willms.