California Lawmakers Again Try to Provide Unemployment Benefits to Striking Workers

Gov. Newsom vetoed last year’s attempt, but state Sen. Portantino says if New York and New Jersey offer the benefits, California should too.

Striking hotel workers play drums as they rally outside the Intercontinental Hotel in downtown Los Angeles on July 3, 2023. Damian Dovarganes/AP Photo

After an identical bill was vetoed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom last year, lawmakers are again considering allowing workers involved in trade disputes to collect unemployment benefits.

At issue is Senate Bill 1116, authored by Sen. Anthony Portantino, which would authorize workers striking or locked out from jobs to receive unemployment insurance benefits, including cash payments, after a two-week waiting period.