Bill H.338 proposes amendments to Vermont's unemployment compensation laws, specifically addressing disqualifications related to labor disputes. The bill allows striking workers to receive unemployment benefits under certain conditions. It modifies the existing law by removing the previous stipulation that disqualified individuals from receiving benefits if their unemployment was due to a labor dispute at their workplace. Instead, it introduces new provisions that state no disqualification will apply if the individual is not involved in the labor dispute, if the work stoppage is solely due to a lockout by the employer, or after the first 14 days of unemployment due to a labor dispute, provided that the employer has not hired replacement workers during that period.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that the waiting period for benefits does not apply if the employer engages replacement workers, ensuring that striking employees can access support more readily. The act is set to take effect upon passage, reflecting a significant shift in how unemployment compensation is handled for workers involved in labor disputes in Vermont.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 21-1344