The hot labor summer could become one with unemployment benefits if a new bill is passed.
“In a state where screenwriters, housekeepers and school janitors have already gone on strike this year, Democratic lawmakers in California have introduced a bill late in the legislative session that would allow such workers to receive unemployment benefits while on the picket line.
Supporters of the bill, including the powerful California Labor Federation, say they hope to seize on the momentum created by a wave of high-profile walkouts that have taken place in the state this year. The proposal comes as Hollywood productions have all but stopped since actors went on strike in July and screenwriters stopped working in May, while hotel workers are continuing to engage in strategic walkouts in Southern California and urging tourists to stay away.
The proposal, introduced by influential Democrats this week, would allow employees engaged in labor disputes to apply for unemployment insurance pay after two weeks off the job. Right now, workers who choose to strike are not eligible for unemployment benefits and must rely on savings or strike funds set up by unions to pay their bills.
The proposal could give workers in California greater incentive to go on strike over pay and conditions, as well as greater financial ability to extend a walkout, though it would not take effect until January. Business groups in the state are adamantly opposed, saying the bill would result in added employer costs, and have vowed to fight the proposal before the Sept. 14 deadline to pass legislation.
New York and New Jersey already allow striking workers to get unemployment benefits, including screenwriters and actors based there.”
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