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In a 28-21 vote, the Washington state Senate voted to allow striking workers to collect unemployment insurance benefits supplied by employers, furthering the state's reputation as one of the most unfriendly places to do business. Even a Democratic lawmaker who voted for the bill said he wished he could simply vote "present" on Senate Bill 5041 so he wouldn't have to play favorites.
One senator remarked in a lengthy debate over this bad idea that it wouldn't just tip the scale in favor of unions in workplace negotiations, it would have the state putting its thumb on the scale. He cautioned against a "yes" vote while reminding lawmakers of the famous 1971 billboard near Sea-Tac that said, "Will the last person leaving SEATTLE -- Turn out the lights." Another senator lamented that if this bill becomes law, the state will lose the tension between unions and businesses that resolves strikes. Other great points were made in Friday's Senate debate, including how we can already see workers winning in strike negotiations in Washington state. See Washington Policy Center's concerns about how SB 5041 could harm workers on our blog.
This legislation is a favor to unions at the expense of the state's economy, businesses, taxpayers and workers. It turns the unemployment insurance fund, provided by employers and meant for workers who lose work through no fault of their own, into an employer-paid strike fund. Unions should be the ones paying workers not to work. Union dues can be used to help union employees get through a strike.
SB 5041 now moves to the House, where a similar bill passed last year and where lawmakers have been waiting on the Senate to act as they did.
Gov. Bob Ferguson might be the only hope. He can veto bad ideas. If SB 5041 passes in the state House, this should be his first.
