Harrisburg, Pa. — The Pa. House of Representatives has narrowly passed House Bill 145, proposed legislation that could provide unemployment compensation to striking workers.
Currently, people who are on strike in Pa. are explicitly banned from receiving unemployment compensation. HB 145, if passed, would lift the ban and allow striking workers to collect benefits after a required one-week waiting period as long as they meet other unemployment compensation requirements.
“Going on strike is an incredibly important safeguard and option of last resort for workers fighting bad bosses. It is a federally protected right under the National Labor Relations Act. But what good is a right that we can’t afford to exercise?” Rep. Rick Krajewski of Philadelphia, said. “When our nation has created the wealthiest men in history while workers still struggle to put food on the table, providing unemployment compensation for workers who are taking the courageous step of withholding their labor is a necessary intervention.”
Similar laws exist in other states including New York and New Jersey. In nine other states, workers are eligible for unemployment insurance benefits while on strike in specific circumstances, such as an employer breaking a contract.
According to the National Employment Law Project, the cost providing benefits to striking workers accounts for a fraction of a percent of unemployment insurance spending, and there is no evidence that unemployment insurance leads to increased work stoppage. Even in states which provide UI, striking workers often give up the most of their income and benefits for the duration of the strike.
“Going on strike takes remarkable bravery, but it shouldn’t have to mean that you and your family go hungry,” added Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, Philadelphia. “There are always going to be risks when going on strike, and unemployment compensation gives workers a basic degree of stability, allowing them to fight for better working conditions on a more level playing field.”
The bill will now move to the Senate.
Originally published on northcentralpa.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.
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