Senator Marcus Riccelli (D-Spokane), the bill’s sponsor, stated:

“Workers deserve to be able to exercise their right to collectively bargain for fair wages and safe workplace conditions… This is a practical, low-cost step to ensure workers are not intimidated out of exercising that fundamental right because they are worried about putting food on the table or keeping a roof over their head.”

Then on March 20^th, the Oregon State Senate passed SB 916 which allow for unemployment benefits for workers still on strike after a two-week waiting period. On the Bill, Oregon AFL-CIO President Graham Trainor said:

 “The passage of Senate Bill 916 is a major win for working people because the economy and the system that we work with in it is so imbalanced.”

LUEL stands in support of the passage of unemployment benefits to striking workers. Bills like this level the playing field for workers against the repression of the bosses as workers inability to sustain themselves and their families is a leading cause of strikes failing. Unemployment benefits would also lessen the burden on strike funds making unions more financially stable.

The post In Major Power Shift, State Senates in Washington, Oregon Pass Bills Allowing for Striking Workers to Collect Unemployment Benefits first appeared on Labor Today.