Washington lawmakers want to pay people to go on strike—at your expense

Because nothing says "fair negotiations" like using taxpayer dollars to fund one side of a labor dispute.

Mar 04, 2025

Washington lawmakers are pushing Senate Bill 5041, a bill that would allow striking workers to collect unemployment benefits, forcing taxpayers to subsidize labor disputes.

This isn’t about helping workers—it’s about giving unions more power by making sure striking employees can still collect a paycheck, even when they refuse to work.

If SB 5041 passes, expect:

Higher unemployment taxes on businesses to cover these new benefits
Longer and more frequent strikes since workers won’t feel the financial pinch of walking off the job
More government intervention in private labor disputes

This bill doesn’t create fairness—it rigs the system in favor of unions while leaving businesses, consumers, and taxpayers on the hook.

What SB 5041 does

SB 5041 changes Washington’s unemployment system by allowing workers to collect benefits while on strike or locked out by their employer.

Currently, workers who voluntarily leave their job—including for a strike—are ineligible for unemployment benefits.
This bill would change that, making striking workers eligible to collect payments from the state’s unemployment insurance fund.
Employers would have to pay more into the system, increasing costs for businesses already struggling with Washington’s high taxes and regulations.

This means businesses will be forced to fund the very strikes being used against them.

Why this bill is dangerous

Strikes will last longer and become more frequent

Under current law, unions have an incentive to negotiate in good faith because striking workers aren’t getting paid. But if those workers can collect unemployment while striking, what’s stopping them from dragging out disputes indefinitely?

Labor disputes will become more common and last longer.
Businesses will have less leverage to resolve disputes quickly.
Consumers will face more disruptions as strikes increase across industries.

This isn’t about helping workers—it’s about empowering unions to strike without consequences.

Businesses and taxpayers will foot the bill

Unemployment benefits are funded by employers through payroll taxes. If SB 5041 passes:

Businesses will be forced to pay higher unemployment insurance taxes to cover these new benefits.
Taxpayers will be on the hook for labor disputes that have nothing to do with them.
Companies will have fewer resources to create jobs and raise wages.

While union bosses celebrate, small businesses and workers will suffer the consequences.

Washington will become even more hostile to business

Washington already has one of the least business-friendly climates in the country, with:

Sky-high taxes on employers
Onerous labor regulations
A growing list of anti-business policies

Now, lawmakers want to force businesses to fund the very strikes that hurt their bottom line.

If this bill passes, expect more companies to leave Washington for states that don’t penalize businesses for existing.

Who benefits from this bill?

Union leaders, who gain more power in labor negotiations.
Politicians looking for union endorsements.
Government agencies that expand their control over labor disputes.

Who doesn’t benefit?

Workers, who will face longer strikes and more job uncertainty.
Small businesses, who will struggle under higher unemployment taxes.
Consumers, who will deal with more disruptions in essential services.

This bill isn’t about fairness—it’s about giving one side of labor negotiations a government-funded advantage.

What’s next?