| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Commerce & Labor Committee | |
HB 2769
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
Brief Description: Providing unemployment compensation during labor disputes.
Sponsors: Representatives Nelson, Hasegawa, Green, Wood, Williams, Moeller, Conway, Appleton, Sullivan, Kenney, Hudgins, Simpson and Ormsby.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/22/08
Staff: Jill Reinmuth (786-7134).
Background:
Before 1987 employees engaged in a labor dispute with their employer, whether on strike or
locked out by the employer, were disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits if the
unemployment was due to a "stoppage of work" at the workplace. A 1987 law allowing locked
out employees to receive benefits under certain conditions expired in December 1987.
During the 1987 interim, the Joint Select Committee on Labor-Management Relations
(Committee) reviewed the unemployment insurance labor dispute disqualification. The
Committee recommended that locked out employees, except certain employees locked out in a
multi-employer bargaining unit, not be disqualified. The Committee's recommendation was
enacted in 1988.
Locked out employees are now qualified for unemployment compensation benefits unless the
lockout occurs in a multi-employer bargaining unit after one of the employers in the bargaining
unit has been struck by its employees.
Summary of Bill:
The provision is deleted that disqualifies employees in a multi-employer bargaining unit from
unemployment compensation benefits when the employees have been locked out following a
strike against one of the employers in the bargaining unit.
Rules Authority: The bill does not address the rule-making powers of an agency.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 16, 2008.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.