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…