This House of Representatives Committee on Labor and Industry voted along party lines Tuesday to pass legislation allowing striking workers in Pennsylvania to collect unemployment benefits.
The 25-member committee, led by Jason Dawkins (Democrat of Philadelphia), voted 14-11 adopt a revised version House of Representatives Bill No. 1481which changes Section 401 of Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Compensation Law. It would allow workers who file for UC and are eligible for unemployment benefits to collect benefits if they are unemployed due to a labor dispute.
The bill also states that in the event of a strike, “a 30-day waiting period applies, but this period does not apply in the event of a lockout.”
The bill is co-sponsored by Allegheny County Democratic Reps. Mandy Steele and Dan Miller, who say the bill was motivated by striking Pittsburgh Post-Gazette workers who strike all year round as of October 18.
“In light of the ongoing strike at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette union membership and the high concentration of unions in Western Pennsylvania, we must protect workers by ensuring their right to unemployment benefits,” Steele said in a statement after the vote. “With this bill, we can ensure that workers can continue to support themselves and their families.”
“Our neighbors in New York and New Jersey have laws on their books that allow this. I believe we should follow their lead,” the lawmakers wrote in co-sponsorship note seeking legislative support.
In a similar effort to support striking workers, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (Democrat of Pennsylvania) introduced a bill in July that would allow striking workers to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Fetterman Introduces Bill That Would Allow Striking Workers to Collect SNAP Benefits
Billknown as the Food Safety Strikes Act 2023, is currently under deliberation Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Forestry.
Not all of the legislation supporting striking workers has been effective. California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed the bill On September 30, it would allow striking workers in that state to collect unemployment benefits, citing budget constraints.
The Pennsylvania bill now awaits a vote in the full House of Representatives.
