With Oregon’s strong, pro-worker legislative majorities and ongoing federal attacks on workers, we must seize this opportunity to level the playing field by passing Senate Bill 916 to extend unemployment benefits to striking workers. SB 916 comes at no cost to Oregon’s General Fund, has a minimal impact on the UI Trust Fund, and imposes no additional costs on public sector employers unless they choose to hire strikebreakers.
It’s a common-sense policy designed to simply help working people make ends meet during a strike.
When employers know they can not just starve workers out in contract negotiations because workers are able to pay rent, buy food, and make ends meet, we believe they will get to their last, best and final offer sooner which will limit and shorten strikes.
Any worker who has made the difficult decision to strike understands how important this bill is.
Union members are professionals who are dedicated to their craft, no matter their sector. Calling a strike voluntary or believing it is tantamount to a vacation, is an insult to the thousands of Oregon workers who’ve fought hard - and will continue to fight hard – to have a meaningful and powerful voice on the job.