Unemployment insurance was meant to help those who lose their jobs, not those who have one but go out on strike
House Bill 1893 would allow unemployment benefits for striking workers, and small businesses like yours would foot the bill.
Thanks to your efforts, NFIB helped stop the Senate version of this bill by keeping it from a floor vote. The House then passed its version in the dark of night, bringing it up for debate at 1:44 a.m., and calling a vote at 2:20 a.m. in the morning. The bill passed with just three votes to spare.
We need you to contact your senator again and ask him or her to oppose HB 1893.
Traditionally, unions establish a strike fund to help their members make ends meet if a work stoppage is likely to be called during contract negotiations. HB 1893 would relieve or at least reduce Labor’s obligation to take care of its own striking members, shifting that burden to employers.
Employers pay 100% of unemployment taxes. The increased costs of providing unemployment checks to workers on strike would be spread among all employers in the system. Consequently, a small business far removed from the labor dispute in question could still see their UI taxes increase as a result of this benefit expansion.
Time is of the essence. A floor vote on HB 1893 could occur at any time.
Please contact your senator today and ask for a NO vote on HB 1893.
