Oregon Just Voted to Let Striking Workers Collect Unemployment Pay

The Oregon House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 916- a law allowing unemployment benefits for striking workers, yesterday.

Following the Oregon Senate passing SB 916 to pay striking workers unemployment benefits in March, the Oregon House of Representatives has now also passed the bill that would allow those on strike to receive weekly payments after two unpaid weeks.

Workers involved in a labor dispute would have to go unpaid for two weeks before being able to apply for and receive benefits.

SB 916 also prevents striking workers from receiving back pay and unemployment benefits simultaneously.

It requires a worker to pay back benefits if they receive back pay. School districts must deduct any unemployment benefits received by striking school workers from their future wages, which could become problematic due to the increasing uncertainty from the federal government.