Congresswoman Simon, Senator Schiff, and Reps. Norcross and Ocasio-Cortez Champion American Workers, Introducing Landmark Bill to Provide Striking Workers Unemployment Pay
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) joined Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01), and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14) in introducing the Empowering Striking Workers Act, legislation that allows striking workers to be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.
This landmark bill would support workers who exercise their legal right to collectively bargain and improve their working conditions. Workers would be eligible for benefits the day a lockout begins, the date the employer hires permanent replacement workers, or if the worker is unemployed after a strike.
“I’m incredibly proud to stand alongside Senator Schiff and Representatives Norcross and Ocasio-Cortez in introducing this legislation to ensure striking workers have access to unemployment insurance,” said Congresswoman Simon. “From the longshore workers of West Oakland to front line workers across the East Bay, no worker in my district or across the U.S. should ever have to choose between exercising their right to fair bargaining and putting food on the table for their family. That’s not a level playing field, it’s exploitation. This bill restores balance, strengthens workers’ voices, and empowers them to fight for better wages and conditions, and negotiate in good faith without the fear of financial hardship hanging over them."
“Workers must be able to meaningfully exercise their right to protest for better wages and benefits and cannot do so if their families are going hungry. The Empowering Striking Workers Act ensures striking workers can receive the financial support they need while on the picket lines — to help level the playing field with the corporate executives sitting across the table from them who continue to draw a paycheck,” said Senator Schiff.
“Any union worker knows that going on strike is always the last resort,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “Workers don’t want to be on the picket line – they want to get back to work, reach a fair agreement, and provide for their families. The Empowering Striking Workers Act will make sure no worker is forced to choose between standing up for their rights and putting food on the table.”
“The right to strike is a fundamental organizing tool for workers. It was striking workers who organized and won a minimum wage, the 40-hour work week, and the weekend. But because a majority of states do not allow workers to collect unemployment benefits while on strike, many low-income and hourly workers are forced to agree to poor terms just to keep food on the table,” said Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. “The Empowering Striking Workers Act would provide an even playing field for workers and employers by ensuring striking workers can continue to collect unemployment benefits while negotiating with their employer.”
The bill is endorsed by National Employment Law Project (NELP), American Federation of Labor–Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Association of Flight Attendants—CWA, United Auto Workers (UAW), Writers Guild of America West (WGAW), National Nurses Union (NNU), Communications Workers of America (CWA), International Brotherhood of Teamsters, United Steelworkers (USW), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), United Farm Workers (UFW), American Postal Workers Union (APWU), Public Justice Center, Workplace Fairness.
“When working people collectively bargain for a better deal at work, they lift standards and job security across entire industries, benefiting all of us. When employers refuse a fair deal for their employees, precipitating a strike, those workers give up paychecks to fight for all of us. A fair economy depends upon the outcome of that fight, and the unemployment system should provide support for those on the picket lines. They’re out of work so that good jobs will proliferate. This is a common sense use for unemployment insurance,” said Jody Calemine, Director of Advocacy, AFL-CIO.
“American workers are the engine of our country, and unions bring them together to stand and fight against corporate abuse. When workers are forced to join together and strike, they deserve the same protection they would have for wage losses for any other reason. Supporting this bill is one way every American can stand up for workers when it matters most,” said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.
“In 2023, writers struck for 148 days as the studios delayed negotiating in the hopes of avoiding a fair deal by pushing writers to the brink of economic desperation. Unemployment insurance allows striking workers to fight for fair deals while staying afloat and keeping local economies healthy. The Writers Guild of America West strongly supports the Empowering Striking Workers Act to help workers stand up for their rights,” said WGAW President Meredith Stiehm
“Given the ongoing attacks on workers, it's never been more important that workers be able to stand up for our basic rights. The Empowering Striking Workers Act is a timely, necessary step to protect workers' right to fundamental rights on the job and make sure that employers can't starve workers back to work under dangerous, inhumane conditions. This bill provides a basic safeguard for working families and reaffirms that our labor laws must protect people, not profits," said Communications Workers of America (CWA) Director of Government Affairs Dan Mauer.
Full text of the bill is available here.
###