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Bill

H 338

An act relating to unemployment compensation

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Conor Casey and 10 co-sponsors

Allows striking workers to receive unemployment benefits with narrowed disqualification, including a 14-day waiting cap and exceptions for non-participation or employer lockouts.

Read first time and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development
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Bill Summary · H 338

Overview

  • Bill: H.338 (2025-2026) — Vermont
  • Title: An act relating to unemployment compensation
  • Primary sponsor(s): Rep. Logan (and several co-sponsors)
  • Committee: House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development
  • Introduced: February 2025; referred to committee; first reading completed
  • Effective date: Immediate upon passage

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill proposes to allow striking workers to be eligible for unemployment compensation.
  • It aims to modify existing disqualification rules to address eligibility gaps for workers participating in a labor dispute.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Section 1: Amends 21 V.S.A. § 1344 (Disqualifications)
    • Current disqualification standard: An individual is disqualified for benefits for any week in which unemployment is due to a stoppage of work caused by a labor dispute at the place of last employment.
    • New exceptions and clarifications:
    • (A) No disqualification if the individual is not participating in, financing, or directly interested in the labor dispute causing the stoppage.
    • (B) No disqualification if the stoppage of work was solely due to a lockout by the employer intended to gain concessions from employees. A lockout does not include temporary suspensions due to:
      • (i) actual or imminent damage to employer property; or
      • (ii) a deliberate effort by employees to reduce productivity.
    • (C) No disqualification after the first 14 days following the commencement of unemployment due to the labor dispute, at the premises of the last employment.
      • Important nuance: this 14-day waiting period does not apply for any portion of the 14 days during which the employer hires temporary or permanent replacement workers for the position.
  • Section 2: Effective date
    • The act takes effect upon passage.

Who/What Is Affected

  • Individuals seeking unemployment benefits who are involved in a labor dispute (e.g., striking workers) at their last place of employment.
  • Employers and the administration of unemployment benefits in Vermont, particularly as it relates to eligibility determinations during labor disputes.
  • Temporary or permanent replacement workers may influence timing of eligibility due to the 14-day provision.

Procedural and Timeline Highlights

  • The bill is introduced and referred to the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development.
  • If enacted, the changes would apply immediately upon passage.
  • The 14-day waiting period interacts with employer use of temporary/permanent replacement workers (creates an exception to the waiting period for the portion during which replacements are employed).

Potential Implications

  • Expands eligibility for unemployment benefits for striking workers by removing or narrowing certain disqualification triggers.
  • Reduces potential disqualification when a strike is not supported or financed by the individual, or where the dispute is caused solely by a lockout by the employer.
  • Introduces a 14-day waiting period limit for eligibility in labor-dispute-related unemployment, with an exception for periods when replacements are used by the employer.
  • Could affect unemployment insurance costs and policy administration for the Vermont Department of Labor.

Note: This summary reflects the introduced text of H.338 and may change with amendments during the legislative process.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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