The Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted Wednesday to pass a bill that would give striking workers unemployment benefits.
In October, the Pennsylvania House Labor and Industry Committee advanced legislation that would allow striking workers to collect unemployment benefits. The bill comes after California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a similar bill in September.
New York and New Jersey are the only two states that currently allow striking workers to collect unemployment benefits, and there is no related federal law. Along with Pennsylvania, the Masschusetts state legislature is also considering similar legislation.
Representative Mandy Steele, a co-sponsor of the Pennsylvania bill, said in a statement, “In light of the ongoing strike for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette union members and the high concentration of unions in western Pennsylvania, we must protect employees by making them eligible for unemployment compensation,” Steele said. “With this bill, we may ensure employees can continue to provide for themselves and their families.”
The legislation passed the House by a vote of 106-97.