The bill amends existing Washington state unemployment insurance laws to clarify the disqualification criteria for benefits related to strikes and lockouts. Specifically, it removes the previous language that disqualified individuals from receiving benefits if their unemployment was due to a lockout by their employer, while retaining the disqualification for unemployment due to a strike. The bill also introduces new provisions that allow individuals to qualify for benefits if they are not participating in or financing the strike and if they do not belong to a class of workers involved in the strike. Additionally, it specifies that disqualifications will end at the earlier of the first day of the strike or when the strike is terminated, with individuals subject to a one-week waiting period thereafter.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the experience rating accounts for employers concerning unemployment benefits. It establishes that benefits paid to individuals whose unemployment is due to a strike at their separating employer's premises will not be charged to the experience rating accounts of those employers. The bill also outlines various circumstances under which employers may receive relief from charges related to benefits, such as when an employee leaves voluntarily for reasons not attributable to the employer or when the employer is affected by a public health emergency. Lastly, the bill includes a provision ensuring that if any part of the act conflicts with federal requirements, that part will be inoperative, but the remainder of the act will still function.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 50.20.090