The Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill that would allow striking workers to collect unemployment benefits. Vote 106-97 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.
House of Representatives Bill No. 1481who emerged from 25 members Commission on Labor and Industry last month, along party lines, it changed Pennsylvania’s law The Unemployment Compensation Act allows eligible workers who file for unemployment benefits to collect benefits if they lose their job due to a labor dispute.
Allegheny County Democrats Reps. Mandy Steele and Dan Miller co-sponsored the bill, citing striking Pittsburgh Post Gazette workers who have been on strike for more than a year, as a motivation to pass legislation.
“If the right to strike is a legal guarantee from the federal government, then there should be economic support systems, especially when these workers pay into our UC insurance system,” Steele said.
At a news conference with lawmakers on Wednesday, union leaders from across the bloc said the bill would level the playing field for workers.
Bill Goldberg, a business representative for the Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 19, described the bill as a “ray of hope” and justice for the men and women who work strenuous day in and day out to build the foundations of our society.”
The right to collect unemployment benefits during a strike is not a concession, Goldberg explained. “It’s a fundamental recognition of the sacrifices that workers make for the greater good.”
State Rep. Jason Dawkins (D-Philadelphia) added that allowing workers to collect benefits would provide a “safety net” for striking workers.
“Making the decision to strike is not an easy one by any means,” said Dawkins, chairman of the House Labor and Industry Committee. “It’s a decision that often results in lost wages, money that our workers need to feed and house their families. That’s why this legislation is so important to our workers and would protect their right to negotiate better wages and working conditions without losing income.”
Dawkins called on the Senate to take up the bill, “so that we can finally have pro-worker legislation and really renew our commitment to our union brothers and sisters that we are committed and we stand with you, shoulder to shoulder, and we will ensure that you are no longer underserved or underrepresented.”
