Bill to Offer Jobless Aid in Strikes Goes to Washington Governor

Washington state would let workers who strike as part of a labor dispute receive a short period of unemployment benefits under legislation heading to the governor’s desk.

If Gov. Bob Ferguson (D) signs the bill (SB 5041), Washington would be one of only a handful of states that explicitly provide unemployment benefits for striking workers, alongside New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island, which impose waiting periods ranging from 30 days to eight weeks before benefits take effect.

Most states exclude workers involved in a labor strike from receiving those benefits, but often make exceptions for employees out ...