Ensuring Fairness for Striking Workers in Massachusetts!

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By Joseph Smith

Striking is a Powerful Tool – But It Comes at a Cost

• Going on strike is a powerful tool for workers to demand fair pay, safer conditions, and dignity

on the job, benefiting not only union members but all workers and communities.

• The decision to strike is difficult, as workers and their families often face significant financial

hardship while exercising this basic right.

• Some employers exploit this hardship by prolonging negotiations, hoping the financial

pressure will force workers to give in.

Unemployment Benefits Provide a Lifeline

• Allowing striking workers to access unemployment benefits provides critical economic stability

by helping families cover basic needs and keeping local economies afloat during prolonged

labor disputes.

• Unemployment Insurance (UI) for striking workers levels the playing field by preventing

employers from using financial pressure to force workers into submission, encouraging good-

faith bargaining.

• Studies have shown that expanding UI to striking workers would cost state’s less than one

percent of total UI spending (usw.to/5bB).

Current Law in Massachusetts

• Right now, in Massachusetts, access to UI during a strike is decided on a case-by-case basis

by the sitting Governor.

• Historically, some Governors have granted benefits. Others have denied them entirely,

leaving working Bay Staters at the mercy of political decisions.

Solution

• In Massachusetts, legislation, S.1319 (usw.to/5bL) and H.2168 (usw.to/5bJ), would guarantee

unemployment benefits for striking workers after 30 days.

o If enacted, this legislation would provide certainty and ensures no one has to choose

between standing up for their rights and putting food on the table.

o It’s a low-cost, high-impact way to support working people and push corporations to

negotiate fairly.

Massachusetts Steelworkers, stay tuned on how you can help advocate for striking workers!

For more information on this issue or how you can get more involved with Rapid Response, please

contact District 4 Rapid Response Coordinator, Mark McDonald, at mmcdonald@usw.org.

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