Press Release 9/29/16

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale and Senate President Steve Sweeney that would extend unemployment insurance benefits to workers on strike during a labor dispute was approved by the Assembly today, sending it to the governor’s desk.

“Workers deserve fair compensation and to be treated with dignity and respect. When contract negotiations break down and workers are left with no choice but to strike, there should be adequate protections in place to make sure they can still make ends meet,” said Senator Vitale (D-Middlesex). “This bill would provide that security while negotiations continue.”

“When hardworking New Jerseyans are trying to earn an honest living but can’t because of unfair compensation, it adds insult to injury to leave them flat with no income at all because they are fighting for fair and just treatment,” said Senator Sweeney. “This will bring some balance to the process going forward and make sure that workers are protected.”

Under the bill, S-2160, unemployment benefits could be triggered for striking workers through several pathways. They would be immediately available if the labor dispute is caused by the failure or refusal of the employer to comply with an agreement or contract between the employer and the claimant. This would apply to claims for a period of unemployment commencing on or after April 10, 2016.

Additionally, if the unemployment is caused by a labor dispute, including a strike or other concerted employee activities, but not by a lockout or a labor dispute caused by the employer’s non-compliance to an agreement or contract with the claimant, benefits would be denied only during the first 30 days following the commencement of a labor dispute, allowing time for negotiation and resolution. An exception to the 30-day waiting period would apply if the employer hires a permanent replacement for the claimant’s position.

The bill is modeled after similar laws in New York and in Alaska. It cleared the Senate by a vote of 22-15 and was approved today in the Assembly by a vote of 49-24-0.