California Assembly passes bill supported by WGA and SAG-AFTRA that would provide unemployment insurance to striking workers
California Assembly passes bill supported by WGA and SAG-AFTRA that would provide unemployment insurance to striking workers
September 11, 2023 6:45 p.m.
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A bill that would provide unemployment insurance to striking California workers passed the Assembly on Monday of the state and is now adopted. headed to the Senate Labor Committee and then to the Senate. If passed there, Senate Bill 799 will go to Gov. Gavin Newsom for signature.
A similar bill passed the Assembly in 2019 but failed in the Senate by two voice.
The bill received support from the Writers Guild, on strike since May 2, and SAG-AFTRA, on strike since July 14. Striking workers in New York and New Jersey are eligible to receive unemployment benefits after two weeks on the picket line, but those in California are not eligible because they are considered to have left their jobs. jobs “voluntarily”.
“California is experiencing an unprecedented number of strikers facing great uncertainty about the economic situation of their industries. and change business models,” State Sen. Anthony Portantino, author of the bill, said today. “Whether they are writers, hospitality workers or allies, they demonstrate unity and strength while demanding respect and fair compensation. It is essential that workers have a seat at the table to negotiate their future and the well-being of their families. A tremendous group of labor rights advocates have worked tirelessly on this effort and deserve our appreciation. »
SB 799, he said, "will help workers put food on their table when they need it most — in the middle of those important collective negotiations. California has always been a leader in protecting workers' rights and it is time to ensure that striking workers receive the unemployment benefits that other unemployed workers are entitled to. We look forward to getting this bill to the governor’s desk. »
Speaking at a rally last week in support of the bill, President WGA West's Meredith Stiehm said, "If you lose your job or are laid off, you can apply for unemployment benefits. Unfortunately, we can't do that. The strikers can't do that in California. They can in New York. Our sister union in the East is capable of doing it. So it's something we have to catch up on, and it's something that would have helped us if we had implemented it sooner."
A bill that would provide unemployment insurance to striking California workers passed the Assembly on Monday of the state and is now adopted. headed to the Senate Labor Committee and then to the Senate. If passed there, Senate Bill 799 will go to Gov. Gavin Newsom for signature.
A similar bill passed the Assembly in 2019 but failed in the Senate by two voice.
The bill received support from the Writers Guild, on strike since May 2, and SAG-AFTRA, on strike since July 14. Striking workers in New York and New Jersey are eligible to receive unemployment benefits after two weeks on the picket line, but those in California are not eligible because they are considered to have left their jobs. jobs “voluntarily”.
“California is experiencing an unprecedented number of strikers facing great uncertainty about the economic situation of their industries. and change business models,” State Sen. Anthony Portantino, author of the bill, said today. “Whether they are writers, hospitality workers or allies, they demonstrate unity and strength while demanding respect and fair compensation. It is essential that workers have a seat at the table to negotiate their future and the well-being of their families. A tremendous group of labor rights advocates have worked tirelessly on this effort and deserve our appreciation. »
SB 799, he said, "will help workers put food on their table when they need it most — in the middle of those important collective negotiations. California has always been a leader in protecting workers' rights and it is time to ensure that striking workers receive the unemployment benefits that other unemployed workers are entitled to. We look forward to getting this bill to the governor’s desk. »
Speaking at a rally last week in support of the bill, President WGA West's Meredith Stiehm said, "If you lose your job or are laid off, you can apply for unemployment benefits. Unfortunately, we can't do that. The strikers can't do that in California. They can in New York. Our sister union in the East is capable of doing it. So it's something we have to catch up on, and it's something that would have helped us if we had implemented it sooner."
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