Labor unions, business groups clash over giving unemployment benefits to striking workers
California lawmakers are resurrecting legislation that would allow workers on strike to collect unemployment benefits, reigniting a familiar political battle between labor unions and businesses.
Under Senate Bill 799, striking workers would be eligible to collect unemployment benefits after they're on strike for two weeks, an early version of the bill released on Tuesday shows.
"Even coming out of the strike, when folks eventually get a contract that they agree on, their families have suffered during this time," said Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank), who wrote the bill.
The last-minute effort, backed by labor unions, shows how lawmakers are responding sweeping California. Hollywood writers, later joined by actors, have been on the picket lines for more than demanding better pay and benefits. and even also went on strike this year in Southern California.
