HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed legislation that would allow striking workers to receive unemployment compensation, marking a significant shift in state labor policy.
House Bill 145, sponsored by Reps. Rick Krajewski and Elizabeth Fiedler, both Philadelphia Democrats, passed Tuesday by a 106-97 vote. The bill would amend Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Compensation Law to remove the prohibition on paying benefits to workers involved in labor disputes.
Under current law, striking employees are ineligible for unemployment benefits, often leaving them without income during negotiations. The proposed measure would allow workers to apply for benefits after a one-week waiting period, provided they meet existing eligibility criteria.
Krajewski said the bill aims to level the playing field for employees engaged in collective bargaining. “Going on strike is an incredibly important safeguard and option of last resort for workers fighting bad bosses,” he said. “It is a federally protected right under the National Labor Relations Act. But what good is a right that we can’t afford to exercise?”
Fiedler echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that the legislation would provide families with basic financial stability during work stoppages. “Going on strike takes remarkable bravery, but it shouldn’t have to mean that you and your family go hungry,” she said.
Several states, including New York and New Jersey, already permit striking workers to collect unemployment benefits, and at least nine others allow it in specific cases. Research shows such programs account for less than 1% of total unemployment insurance spending and have not led to increased strike activity.
Supporters argue that the measure ensures workers can exercise their legal rights without facing financial ruin, while opponents warn it could burden the state’s unemployment fund and blur the line between private labor disputes and public assistance.
House Bill 145 now advances to the state Senate for consideration.
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