The decision to go on strike is never easy. Just ask Local 54 workers at the Taj Mahal who have gone without pay and benefits for nearly four weeks. Think about the thousands of CWA and IBEW members who were on strike at Verizon for six weeks. It is clear that going on strike is a measure of last resort.
Therefore, legislators must step up to ensure that workers, who have no choice but to go on strike, are eligible for unemployment benefits. A bill to provide these benefits to strikers is set for a floor vote in the state Senate on Monday, August 1, 2016. We urge you to send a pre-written message to your state Senator, urging him or her to support S-2160.
CLICK HERE to send your message.
This legislation would allow workers, who engage in a strike or other concerted activities, to receive unemployment insurance benefits after 30 days or in the case that an employer hires replacement workers. We thank the primary sponsors of this legislation, Senate President Sweeney, Senator Joseph Vitale, and Assemblymen and women Quijano, DeAngelo, Giblin, Benson, Zwicker, Danielson, and Houghtaling.
Without a reasonable safety net, workers are less able to stand up for their rights on the job. When workers are able to speak up for fair treatment and a middle-class standard of living, our communities as a whole benefit.
Once again, please take a moment to urge your state Senator to vote in favor of S-2160. When workers’ rights are undermined, employees shouldn’t have to sacrifice their livelihoods just to stand up for the justice they deserve.