Washington Senate Passes Bill to Extend Unemployment Benefits to Striking Workers

OLYMPIA, Washington — The Washington State Senate has passed Senate Bill 5041, which would extend unemployment insurance (UI) benefits to workers during labor strikes. If the bill passes the House and is signed by the governor, Washington would become the third state, after New York and New Jersey, to grant this benefit.

The bill allows striking workers who have logged at least 680 hours in the past year to receive UI benefits starting the second Sunday after their legal strike begins, following a one-week waiting period. These workers would be eligible for up to four weeks of UI benefits.

Sen. Marcus Riccelli (D-Spokane), the sponsor of the bill, emphasized that the measure aims to level the playing field for workers who risk financial hardship when striking for better wages and working conditions. "This bill isn’t about creating an incentive to strike — it’s about making sure workers aren’t starved into submission while fighting for fair wages and safe working conditions," Riccelli said.

The bill also includes safeguards, such as a 12-week cap on UI benefits, annual reviews by the Employment Security Department (ESD), and a ten-year sunset provision. The ESD would be required to produce annual reports to assess the bill’s long-term impact on strike prevalence and the UI Trust Fund.

Unions and workers' rights advocates support the bill, noting that it could reduce the financial strain on workers during strikes. Sandee Flores, who participated in a strike at the DoubleTree Seattle Airport in 2024, expressed the need for such assistance. "Unemployment would take away some of that fear," she said. "It wouldn’t make striking easy, but it would make it possible."

However, the bill has faced opposition from business groups, with critics arguing that it could lead to higher unemployment insurance costs for employers, particularly small businesses. The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and the Washington Association of Business have expressed concerns that the bill could exacerbate the region's economic challenges post-pandemic.

If passed, the bill is expected to cost around $670,000 for system updates and $172,000 annually for additional staff. These costs would be borne by employers, but the impact on tax rates is expected to be minimal.

The bill now moves to the House for further consideration after passing the Senate with a 28-21 vote on March 7.