The Oregon House of Representatives has voted 33-to-23 to pass Senate Bill 916B, landmark legislation designed to extend Unemployment Benefit Eligibility to striking Workers. The Bill now goes back to the Oregon State Senate for a concurrence vote to approve amendments added in the House Committee on Labor and Workplace Standards. Alma McCarty at KGW-TV/Portland reports supporters of the measure say it would prevent large employers from using financial pressure to "wait out" Workers during labor disputes. “This Bill says that after two weeks of being on Strike, striking Workers would then become eligible for unemployment insurance,” said Democratic State Representative Travis Nelson. “I lobbied for this Bill big time. I had lot of conversations with my colleagues so I could to get them to a place of yes.” Nelson, a Registered Nurse and former Union Rep for the Oregon Nurses Association, said his experience in the health care field shaped his push for the Bill. “What I have experienced over the years is hospital systems dragging their feet, not putting their best proposals forward, really frustrating the Nurses,” he said.

Oregon AFL-CIO President Graham Trainor said: “Today’s vote in the Oregon House of Representatives to send SB 916B forward in the Legislature is the culmination of pro-longed advocacy by Union Members, Advocates for Workers’ Rights and the thousands of Oregonians who have engaged in this effort. We are inspired by the tremendous efforts of Working People across the State who have sent letters, made phone calls and submitted testimony to share why SB 916B matters to them. Oregon’s Workers and their Unions will continue to advocate for this Bill until it is signed into law.  Our mission to build a fair and just economy for all Working People hinges on bold, progressive policies like SB 916B which will ensure Workers on Strike do not have to be forced into poverty or be starved-out to accept unsatisfactory offers at the bargaining table.” 

For More On This Labor News Story, Go To: Oregon’s Unions Celebrate SB 916B Passing State House And Oregon House passes bill extending unemployment benefits to striking workers