Oregon Lawmakers Push Bill to Pay Striking Workers and Prevent Forced Contract Deals

A bill dictating that Oregon workers are paid unemployment benefits while on strike has met with two distinct points of view – supporters of Senate Bill 916 say it will stop workers being ‘starved into a contract,’ while opponents believe it will be too big a financial burden for public employers.

Lawmakers Advanced the Bill to Pay Striking Workers Unemployment Benefits

Lawmakers voted to advance the bill on Thursday, after five rounds of public meetings and hours of testimony for and against striking workers collecting unemployment benefits.

Supporters argue that the bill will rectify an imbalance of power in strikes and prevent workers from being ‘starved into a contract’ because they become desperate for a paycheck. Opponents say the bill will present public employers with too onerous a cost.

Senator Cedric Hayden, Rep. Fall Creek, says the bill will put small municipalities in a difficult position as they are already struggling financially.

Amendment will Address Employer Concerns

The sponsor of the bill, Senator Kathleen Taylor, Dem. Portland proposed an amendment that will address employer concerns. The amendment says workers must repay unemployment benefits they receive while on strike.

The amendment, approved on a party-line vote, also clarifies the strikes and labor disputes that qualify under the bill.

Furthermore, it requires striking workers to wait two weeks before qualifying for unemployment. The amendment states that benefits paid to teachers or school district employees will count toward their total pay.

The Amendment Does Not Satisfy Cities and Counties

Scott Winkels, a representative of the League of Oregon Cities, said while cities would have to pay back unemployment insurance that workers receive, they would also be held responsible for employing and carrying the cost of temporary workers during strikes.

The Association of Oregon Counties revealed that large counties would have to pay up to $1 million a week for unemployment benefits to striking workers, while smaller counties would face weekly bills up to $20,000 if their employees are unionized.

Nursing Sector Favors the Bill

The bill drew support from nurses, including Providence workers who recently took part in a 46-day strike, the longest health care strike in Oregon history.

Josephine Quijada, a nurse at Providence Milwaukie, said corporations like Providence have the clout to stall negotiations, knowing most nurses cannot afford to live without a paycheck. The bill could counter their position.

The bill proceeds to a vote of the full Senate before heading to the House of Representatives.