Committee advances bill allowing up to 12 weeks of UI for striking workers after debate and failed amendments

The House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee reported out engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5041 on Friday after lengthy debate and multiple failed amendment attempts. The bill would allow individuals unemployed due to a labor strike to receive up to 12 weeks of unemployment insurance (UI) benefits following a specified disqualification period from Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2035; it also removes a disqualification for an employer-initiated lockout in certain circumstances.

Several amendments were offered and voted on during executive session. Ranking Member Schmidt moved an amendment (Leon 148) to maintain a disqualification where a court issues an order or judgment finding a strike is prohibited (replacing the bill’s ‘‘final judgment’’ language); that amendment failed. Leon 149 (also from Schmidt), which would have excluded state and local government employees from eligibility for strike-related UI, failed. Representative McIntyre’s Leon 145, which sought to reduce the maximum weeks available from 12 to 4, failed. Leon 146 (McIntyre) would have prohibited the Employment Security Department (ESD) from waiving standard UI eligibility requirements for striking workers (including actively seeking suitable work); it also failed. Leon 150 would have required a study by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) on risks to students if teachers were to strike for the maximum weeks and delayed the bill’s effective date; that amendment failed. Leon 147 would have made the bill effective only after the UI trust fund met a 24-month solvency threshold; it also failed.

Arguments: Supporters including Vice Chair Scott framed the bill as a pro-worker policy that helps workers who face economic hardship while exercising concerted bargaining rights; he said, “Extending unemployment insurance benefits to striking workers is good policy because it's good for working people.” Opponents, led in debate by Ranking Member Schmidt and Representative McIntyre, warned of major costs to employers and the state trust fund if large strikes materialized — citing the Boeing machinists walkout as an example — and raised concerns about public-safety and K‑12 impacts. Schmidt said the amendment to rely on injunctions rather than final judgments was necessary because “a final judgment isn't something that normally or usually or even seldom happens.” McIntyre argued the bill could reduce pressure to return to bargaining if workers had 12 weeks of benefits.

Vote: On final passage in committee the motion to report the bill out with a due-pass recommendation carried. The roll call showed 6 ayes and 3 nays (6–3). The committee declined all offered amendments.

What’s next: The bill moves to the next stage of the legislative process with the committee’s due-pass recommendation; sponsor and opponents acknowledged remaining policy disputes, and several members said fiscal impacts should be monitored.