The Washington state House approved a bill authorizing unemployment insurance benefits for workers on strike or locked out due to a labor dispute. The bill, passed by a 53-44 vote, is now set for consideration in the Senate. If the legislation is enacted, striking employees would become eligible for unemployment insurance after a specific period. The move, strongly supported by labor unions, is intended to help workers cover expenses like rent and food during strikes.

Opponents, such as Republicans and industry groups, assert the bill could strain the unemployment insurance system and impose burdens on employers, who fund unemployment insurance through tax payments. However, the Washington Employment Security Department anticipates the bill would result in less than a 1% increase in unemployment insurance claims during a qualifying strike. The department confirmed no federal funds were borrowed to support the unemployment insurance system during the pandemic-induced joblessness surge.

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