Unemployment compensation benefits, employer lockout during labor dispute, benefits authorized

HB 535 would amend Alabama's unemployment law to allow workers to receive benefits if they are locked out by their employer during a labor dispute. Currently, workers are disqualified from benefits for unemployment caused by any labor dispute, but this bill specifically excludes employer lockouts from that disqualification. The amendment changes Section 25-4-78 to state that unemployment due to an employer lockout (where the employer prevents workers from entering the workplace) does not disqualify a worker. This directly affects employees in workplaces experiencing employer-initiated lockouts during labor disputes, ensuring they can access unemployment benefits during such periods.