AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- EMPLOYMENT SECURITY -- BENEFITS

SB 587 would allow workers who are locked out by their employer during a labor dispute (such as when an employer refuses to bargain collectively) to receive unemployment benefits. It also permits benefits for workers on strike if they are not part of the union or group causing the dispute. The bill specifies that employers must offer to extend current wages and working conditions for up to three days before a lockout is considered valid, and excludes benefits if the lockout responds to a strike at another employer in a multi-employer bargaining group. This change directly affects workers involved in labor disputes and aims to provide financial support during workplace conflicts.