California lawmakers are proposing extending unemployment benefits to workers who are on strike.<\/strong> Striking workers would be eligible to collect unemployment payments after two weeks.<\/p>\n

The proposal comes as part of legislation\u2014S.B. 799<\/a>\u2014that previously dealt with prison visits. It passed out of the state’s Senate in May and was sent to the Assembly.<\/p>\n

This week, one of the bill’s authors\u2014state Sen. Anthony Portantino (D\u201325th district)\u2014<\/span>completely amended it<\/a>, striking the previous text related to inmate visitation entirely. S.B. 799 now deals solely with unemployment compensation for workers in labor disputes.<\/p>\n

Under existing California law, people are ineligible for unemployment benefits if they voluntarily left a job because of a trade dispute and remain ineligible for the duration of the strike.<\/p>\n

Under the amended bill<\/a>, striking employees would be eligible for unemployment benefits after two weeks on strike.<\/p>\n

The bill would also make explicit that employees who leave work due to a lockout by an employer anticipating a trade dispute are also eligible for benefits (something that has been previously established by California case law but not explicitly spelled out under state statute).<\/p>\n

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Today I introduced SB 799 to provide unemployment benefits to striking workers. Grateful for collaboration of @SenMariaEDurazo<\/a> & @ChrisHoldenLA<\/a> joint authors and @CaliforniaLabor<\/a> federation for its tremendous leadership on this issue. @LALabor<\/a> @seiucalifornia<\/a> @CalTeamstersPAC<\/a><\/p>\n

— Anthony Portantino (@Portantino) August 23, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n