Unemployment Benefits Expanded for Striking Workers

Workers who go on strike will have access to expanded unemployment benefits under a new law signed by Governor Murphy.  Employees engaged in a union work stoppage will be able to collect unemployment benefits after 14 days under the measure, down from the current 30-day requirement.  Additionally, unemployment benefits become immediately available if the employer hires either temporary or permanent replacements during the strike.  The law also permits the payment of benefits during an employer lockout, even if a strike did not immediately precede the lockout.  The law is retroactively effective to include claims filed at any time since January 2022.