BENEFITS FOR STRIKING WORKERS UPDATE
In recent legislative sessions, more bills than ever have been introduced that, if passed, would grant unemployment benefits to striking workers. While specific requirements and any potential waivers vary by state, the following states have introduced legislation to support such benefits:
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Massachusetts
- Oregon
- Washington
Historically, these types of bills have found difficulty receiving the support needed to pass. Currently, only two states – New York and New Jersey – provide any type of unemployment benefits to striking workers.
ALABAMA – BILL PASSED TO INCREASE WORK SEARCH REQUIREMENTS
The Alabama House of Representatives recently passed a bill which would increase the number of work search requirements necessary to be completed for a claimant to be eligible for unemployment benefits. It increases the necessary number of work searches to five (5), up from the current three (3).
Based on concerns for their rural population, an amendment was adopted that would keep the work search requirements at three (3) per week for counties in which the population was 20,000 people or less.
The bill would ensure that benefits are only being paid to those actively seeking work and that failure to appear at an interview or skill test without notification would be deemed a failure to seek work and could be disqualifying.
The bill now moves to the Senate.
NORTH CAROLINA – BILL WOULD MAKE PERMANENT FORMER GOVERNOR COOPER’S EXECUTIVE ORDER INCREASING MAXIMUM WEEKLY BENEFIT AMOUNT
House Bill 48, which was filed on February 4, 2025 and most recently reintroduced to House Committee on February 11, would codify former Governor Cooper’s Executive Order increasing the state’s weekly benefit amount, up to $450 from the current $350 maximum. The Executive Order was issued on the heels of Hurricane Helene to help support those that were impacted by the natural disaster. HB 48 would make this change permanent.
US CONGRESS – IMPROVE AND ENHANCE THE WORK OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDIT ACT REINTRODUCED
A bipartisan bill, Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act, was reintroduced in the House to help update and strengthen the WOTC program. The bill which would update the program that has not been updated since its enactment, would:
- Increase the current credit percentage from 40% to 50% of qualified wages.
- Add a second level of credit for employees who work 400 or more hours.
- Eliminate the arbitrary age cap at which SNAP recipients are eligible for WOTC. This change will provide an incentive to hire older workers and better align the credit with previously adopted work reforms.
Bipartisan companion legislation was also introduced in the Senate.
Thomas & Company will continue to monitor all legislation as it makes its way through the legislative process.
