Oregon Senate Passes SB 916 to Extend Unemployment to Striking Workers

SALEM, ORE. - Today, the Oregon State Senate voted 16 to 12 to pass Senate Bill 916, which would lift the current ban against striking workers applying for unemployment benefits. SB 916 propelled through the Senate thanks to incredible involvement and advocacy by union members from across Oregon, including over 500 supportive testimonies submitted, thousands of phone calls and letters sent to lawmakers, and hundreds of direct meetings with legislators. 

“The Oregon AFL-CIO applauds the Senate’s passage of SB 916, a critical step toward ensuring that every worker in Oregon has a fair shot at economic security,” said Oregon AFL-CIO President Graham Trainor. “This bill represents real progress for working people, those who’ve too often been left behind by policies that favor the wealthy and powerful. We’re proud to stand with the workers and community advocates who fought tirelessly to get us here, and we urge the House to move swiftly to send SB 916 to Governor Kotek’s desk.”

The Oregon AFL-CIO is appreciative of SB 916’s sponsors, and to the senators who voted in favor of the bill today: Broadman, Campos, Frederick, Gelser Blouin, Gorsek, Jama, Lieber, Manning Jr, Meek, Patterson, Pham, Prozanski, Reynolds, Taylor, Woods, President Wagner

The bill now advances to the Oregon House of Representatives, where it will be considered by the House Labor and Workplace Standards committee  in the coming weeks. Union members and advocates will continue their efforts to ensure the bill’s momentum carries forward, urging Representatives to stand with workers and pass SB 916 without delay.