California lawmakers have passed a bill that would allow strikers to remain unemployed

(NewsNation) — California lawmakers this week sent a bill to the governor’s desk that would make those on strike eligible for unemployment benefits.

Currently, employees who have left their jobs because of a “trade dispute” are not eligible for these benefits, which are paid by the state unemployment fund.

But SB799 would restore an employee’s right to receive those benefits after the first two weeks of a strike and would codify an existing law that allows those who left their jobs because of the lockout to receive those benefits.

It’s a bill strongly supported by labor unions but opposed by organizations like the California Chamber of Commerce.

Deadline reports that the WGA, SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, Actors’ Equity and numerous unions spoke out at the committee hearing in favor of the bill. Writers and actors in Hollywood have been on strike since May.

A WGA West spokesman read a statement from guild president Meredith Stiem, which said that since May 2, writers have been forced to “rely on strike loans from our union, donations, charity and second and third jobs to pay for their basic needs.”

“Four months out of work is emotionally brutal and financially devastating. I am proud to report that our members have persevered and remained determined throughout this long, hot summer of work, but they are suffering,” the statement said.

On Thursday in the California Senate, state Sen. Anthony Portantino, who authored the bill, said when someone calls a strike, “it’s not romantic,” The Sacramento Bee reported.

“It’s hard on this family,” Portantino said. “People have expressed legitimate concerns about the fund itself. The impact on that fund would be very minor compared to this bill, but the impact on the individual on strike would be significant.”

Republican state Sen. Brian Dahle called it “appalling,” The Bee reported.

“It’s a bad idea,” Dahle said, arguing that asking employers to fund unemployment benefits for workers who strike against them is “unthinkable.”

Despite opposition from the Republican Party, the legislation passed the Senate on Thursday and the state Assembly on Monday.

Alex Stack, Newsom’s deputy director of communications, told NewsNation in an email that the governor’s office does not typically comment on pending legislation.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the governor did raise concerns about unemployment insurance debt at an event hosted by Politico on Tuesday. According to the LA Times, the unemployment fund is more than $18 billion in debt because it borrowed money from the federal government.

“I think you have to be careful with that before you start talking about expanding its use,” Newsom said.

Newsom has until Oct. 14 to act on the bill, which will take effect in January. If he ends up signing it, California would become the third state to provide unemployment benefits to strikes, after New Jersey and New York.

The unemployment rate in California is $450 a week for a maximum of 26 weeks, the LA Times writes.