On Monday, May 19, striking workers in Washington and their advocates had a huge win when Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a new law that extended their unemployment benefits. Lawmakers as well packed the conference room as he signed the law. “Allowing striking workers to access unemployment insurance benefits creates a more level playing field for workers to have the resources they need to effectively bargain for better working conditions,” Ferguson said. Only New York and New Jersey also have such a law. Predictably, Republicans and business groups opposed the idea, saying that it will encourage more workers to go on strike and result in higher costs for businesses.
Read the full story by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero for WA State Standard, published here: https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/05/19/washington-will-pay-unemployment-benefits-to-striking-workers/
