Workers on strike
You may be eligible to receive up to 6 weeks of benefits while a strike is in effect. We may consider you on strike when any of these criteria apply:
- Your union is on strike.
- You stop working because your union representative told you to.
- You join the strike or picket, even if you are not a union member.
- You refuse available work because of a strike.
Benefits are not allowed until the second Sunday after a strike begins. Workers who qualify for benefits need to serve a 1-week unpaid waiting period per benefit year. The 6 weeks available during a strike are not extra weeks within your benefit year. Learn how a benefit year works.
Workers unemployed because of a lockout
You may be eligible for the duration of the lockout. Workers who qualify for benefits need to serve a 1-week unpaid waiting period per benefit year. Learn how a benefit year works.
Eligibility requirements during labor disputes
Most eligibility requirements apply to workers who file weekly claims during a labor dispute. Read more about basic eligibility requirements.
To remain eligible when filing weekly claims during a labor dispute, you need to:
- Be able and available to work for the dates you claim.
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Report any wages you earn while on strike.
You do not need to:
- Complete weekly job search requirements. This waiver will be included in the determination letter we send you.
- Report strike pay from the union.
You should file a claim each week, even if you are waiting to:
- Find out if you qualify for benefits.
- Have wages and hours added to your claim.
- Appeal a denial of benefits.
Learn how to file weekly claims.
Applying for benefits during a labor dispute
When you apply for unemployment benefits, you need to provide detailed information. Learn about the information you need when you apply.
When you apply, you may choose “I am on strike” as the reason for not working. We will send a questionnaire to you and your employer. Please reply as soon as possible.
Learn how to apply for benefits.
Reporting back pay and paying back overpayments
You need to report any back pay you get for weeks you received benefits. You can report the back pay when filing a weekly claim, by sending us a web notice through your eServices account, or by talking with a claims agent. For current Claims Center hours, please check our contact us page.
When you have an overpayment, we will send a decision letter with information about how to pay it back. Learn more about overpayments.
If a strike is prohibited by state or federal law
We process claims for a striking worker unless an employer gets a final court judgement that a strike is prohibited by law. If a strike is prohibited:
- The employer needs to share the court judgement with us.
- The worker needs to repay benefits received during the strike. We will send a decision letter with overpayment details and how to pay it back. Learn more about overpayments.