As per reports, lawmakers in Oregon and Washington are considering legislation to provide unemployment benefits to striking workers, as of Saturday (12 April).
• This is following recent walkouts by Boeing factory workers, hospital nurses and teachers in the Pacific Northwest.
• Oregon’s measure would make it the first state to provide pay for picketing public employees — who are not allowed to strike in most states, let alone receive benefits for it.
• Washington’s bill would pay striking private sector workers for up to 12 weeks.
• The bills have sparked debates about their impact on employers and the balance of bargaining power.
