Oregon Gov. Signs UI for Striking Workers Bill Day After Connecticut Gov. Vetoes

SALEM, Ore. — While Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont (D) vetoed a bill yesterday that would grant unemployment insurance to striking workers, in a historic win for working Oregonians, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed Oregon’s similar bill into law. Senate Bill 916 is landmark legislation that repeals the law denying unemployment insurance (UI) benefits to a person who is unemployed due to an active labor dispute. The bill will take effect January 1, 2026.

Every Oregonian deserves steady income, a living wage, and safe working conditions. Unfortunately, with rising costs of living and an economy where corporations have the lion's share of the political and bargaining power, workers have to actively fight for these rights. Passage of Senate Bill 916 guarantees that workers who are forced to strike for better conditions can receive unemployment insurance and don’t have to starve for a decent wage and job safety.

Donna Marks, a major champion of SB 916 and a 20-year Nabisco-Mondelez employee who went on strike for over 40 days in 2021, celebrated the news of Gov. Kotek signing the bill into law.

“After so many months of hard work, I’m so proud to see SB 916 become law,” Marks said. “Being on strike was the hardest thing I have ever done, and while we had some pandemic healthcare protections, each of us struggled daily to afford groceries, rent, and other necessities. Ultimately, the contract we passed was extremely flawed. Now, future workers in my position will have protections, so their employer can’t starve them into a bad contract.”

Following 10 informational meetings, public hearings, and work sessions; three amendments; and five floor votes, Oregon lawmakers passed SB 916 in both chambers in mid-June. Thousands of working Oregonians submitted testimony, wrote letters, and made phone calls to their legislators in support of SB 916. Support far outweighed opposition every step of the way. Governor Kotek’s final action on this bill  stands in sharp contrast to Connecticut where a similar bill moved with bipartisan support through both chambers but the Governor vetoing the bill

“We’re proud of this major victory for working class Oregonians across our state and to have a pro-worker Governor who signed it and publicly expressed her support of the policy many months ago,” Oregon AFL-CIO President Graham Trainor said. “Workers, community members, and legislators fought tirelessly to pass this vital protection for striking workers. With the Governor’s signature, Oregon has helped to level the playing field just a notch between workers and their bosses.”

Oregon is now the fourth state to allow striking workers to receive UI, following New York, New Jersey, and Washington and is the only state where public workers will be eligible for this benefit, if it’s needed, since many public sector workers are not strike-barred in Oregon. 

“In Oregon, we believe every worker has the absolute right to strike,” Trainor said. “Public sector workers care for us, protect us, and keep our state running. Whether an educator, a healthcare provider, or a maintenance worker, they deserve the right to strike and to do so without fear of starvation or losing their housing.”

Data shows that long public sector strikes are rare, too often occurring when employers drag out bargaining in an effort to starve out workers. Over the past 10 years there have been only two strikes by K-12 teachers, and over the past 19 years, four strikes by members of Oregon AFSCME, which represents state and local government workers. 

Importantly, state economists continue to affirm that costs will not be socialized across businesses and the Oregon Employment Department is not predicting an increase in the overall tax schedule from the bill. Overall, this bill’s cost is estimated to be less than 1% (.24%) in total UI expenditures to the UI trust. 

Starting January 1, 2026, eligible striking workers can access UI for 10 weeks after a two-week waiting period.