Rep. Norcross Introduces the Empowering Striking Workers Act to Provide Unemployment Pay During Strikes
The Empowering Striking Workers Act of 2025 is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. It was recently introduced and sent to the House Committee on Ways and Means for review. No further actions are scheduled at this time, and the bill is waiting for the committee to decide on its next steps.
This bill is a major priority for labor unions but faces heavy opposition from business groups and is unlikely to gain the Republican support needed to pass.
Small business owners who employ unionized workers could face longer and more frequent strikes, since workers would have less financial pressure to settle. Additionally, employer unemployment insurance tax rates are often tied to claims experience, so businesses affected by strikes could see their UI tax rates increase over time.
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Workers who go on strike during labor disputes would be eligible for unemployment benefits nationwide under a newly introduced bill. The Democratic-backed proposal would mirror state-level policies in New Jersey and New York that let striking workers receive benefits after a 14-day period.
Representative Adam Schiff introduced the Empowering Striking Workers Act to ensure that workers exercising their legal right to collectively bargain are eligible for unemployment insurance benefits after 14 days of striking, noting that lack of income can deprive workers of effective tactics.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Empowering Striking Workers Act of 2025
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