Oregon, Washington lawmakers discuss strike-related unemployment benefits

Lawmakers in Washington and Oregon are advancing bills that would allow striking workers to receive unemployment benefits, marking a shift in support for labor rights amid increased activism. Washington's SB 5041 aims to provide up to 12 weeks of benefits for private sector workers after two weeks on strike, with Senator Marcus Riccelli advocating for it as a means to create a social safety net. Currently, only New York and New Jersey offer such benefits, prompting discussions about the implications for employers. In Oregon, similar legislation would allow public employees, who typically cannot strike, to receive pay while picketing. Both states' measures have passed their respective Senate chambers and are now awaiting consideration in the House. These developments come in the wake of recent high-profile strikes in the region, emphasizing the changing dynamics of labor negotiations.