Pennsylvania House approves bill allowing striking workers to seek unemployment benefits

On Oct. 6, 2025, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed House Bill 145, a measure that allows workers who are on strike to be eligible for unemployment compensation. The chamber approved the bill on final passage by a vote of 106 yeas to 97 nays; the clerk will return the bill to the Senate for concurrence.

Supporters framed the measure as a worker-protection step. Representative Krogewski said the proposal would help workers “who are taking the courageous step of withholding their labor” and repeatedly referenced historic labor struggles in urging the House to approve the bill. Representative Fiedler said going on strike “is not the same thing as quitting your job” and described the choice to strike as difficult for many families.

Opponents called the bill an incentive to strike. Representative Krupa said, “This proposal, it isn't unemployment. It's a taxpayer funded vacation for people choosing to shut down their workplace.” Representative Jones recounted personal experience with strikes and argued unions typically provide strike support; he said many unions would not favor a taxpayer-funded approach.

Floor debate included union and labor references. Representative Dawkins read a list of unions he said supported the bill and criticized the notion that workers would abuse the benefit.

The bill’s passage was contested across party lines; members used the roll call for final passage. After the vote the clerk reported the yeas 106, nays 97, meeting the constitutional majority required for final passage. The House will return the bill to the Senate with that information.

Votes at a glance: final passage — yeas 106, nays 97; outcome: passed and returned to the Senate for concurrence.

The House record shows extended debate before the vote and several members requesting the yeas and nays. The transcript indicates the measure was debated at length on the floor before the final roll call.