Support unemployment benefits for strikers, Employee Free Choice Act

OLYMPIA (Jan. 8, 2024) — The short 60-day legislative session began today and two priority bills supported by Washington’s union movement have public hearings this week. That means now is the time to let your state senators and representatives know that you support these important pieces of legislation.

TAKE A STAND! — Please send a message to your Washington state legislators in support of these two bills: Unemployment Insurance for Strikers (SB 5777 / HB 1893) and the Employee Free Choice Act (SB 5778 / HB 1940). Here are some one-pagers from the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO describing the two bills:

Unemployment Insurance for Strikers — Rather than negotiate a fair contract, employers can weaponize the economic instability of workers — especially low-income workers — to force a strike and “starve them out.” Striking workers and their families should have access to some economic support.

A public hearing on HB 1893 is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday (follow the links to watch on TVW) in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards. A hearing on SB 5777 will also be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce. (The WSLC will be live-tweeting @WAAFLCIO.)

Employee Free Choice Act — Multiple states have created protections against “captive-audience meetings,” which corporations use as a union-busting tactic or to force their political and religious views upon employees. Washington should join those states and protect workers from retaliation when they choose not to participate in such meetings.

A hearing on the Employee Free Choice Act, HB 1940 is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Wednesday in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards. A hearing on SB 5778 is set for 8.a.m. on Thursday in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce.