Washington State Faces Federal Mandate to Revise Unemployment Rules for Striking Workers
Washington State's Employment Security Department (ESD) is in the process of revising its unemployment insurance rules for striking workers. This action comes after the U.S. Department of Labor issued a warning that the state's current policy violates federal law. Previously, Washington allowed striking workers to collect unemployment benefits without actively seeking new employment, treating them as still attached to their employer. Federal law, however, mandates that anyone receiving unemployment benefits must be able, available, and actively seeking work. The state's carve-out for strikers was established by SB 5041, a law passed by Democrats that took effect on January 1. Since its implementation, over half a million dollars from a trust fund intended for individuals who lost jobs through no fault of their own has been disbursed to striking workers. The ESD has initiated emergency rulemaking to correct this discrepancy, aiming to avoid potential loss of federal funding for its unemployment insurance pr... 
