Today, more than 100 workers from across Oregon met with legislators at the state Capitol, joining the Oregon AFL-CIO in a Legislative Conference and Lobby Day, continuing to voice their strong support for the passage of Senate Bill 916, which would lift the prohibition against striking workers applying for unemployment insurance during lengthy strikes. They join the more than 300 Oregonians who have submitted testimony in favor of SB 916, urging officials to pass the legislation. Workers reminded their senators and representatives that lengthy strikes are rare but today the employer has the economic advantage and can drag out negotiations and starve out workers.
Public workers and educators were also there to make sure lawmakers understood the strict rules that govern public sector strikes.
All public employees, including educators, are bound by the rules of the 1973 Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act (PECBA) which sets the timelines for negotiations and requires at least 210 days of bargaining before a strike could ever happen.
By extending UI benefits to striking workers, SB 916 protects workers' right to challenge unfair working conditions and stand up for better wages without fear of falling into financial hardship.
“Unemployment insurance was built to support workers when they need it most, and that includes workers on strike,” said Graham Trainor, president of the Oregon AFL-CIO. “The decision to strike is always a last resort, a response to employers who refuse to bargain fairly or address unsafe conditions. Today’s Legislative Conference and Lobby Day was another demonstration that Oregonians of all stripes are serious about passing these critical protections. Workers shouldn’t be punished for standing up for what’s right and they shouldn’t have to rely on food pantries when their employers bargain in bad faith or refuse to come to the table. This legislation ensures that striking workers won’t be pushed into poverty for exercising their legal rights.”
Currently, striking workers are not eligible for unemployment insurance in Oregon, despite the fact that the right to strike is legally protected and a fundamental part of labor relations. Providing these workers with limited economic support through Oregon’s UI system is crucial in helping them continue to meet their families' basic needs while also supporting local economies.
The Oregon AFL-CIO and its affiliated unions will continue to push for the passage of SB 916, ensuring workers have the financial support they deserve when fighting for fair wages, safe conditions, and respect on the job.
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