URGE YOUR LEGISLATORS TO VOTE NO ON SB 916 – UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR STRIKING WORKERS
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To:
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Subject: Oppose SB 916
Suggested Message:
ACTION ALERT: Oppose SB 916 – UI Benefits for Striking Workers
Senate Bill 916 is heading to the House floor and we need your help.
SB 916 would extend unemployment insurance (UI) benefits to workers who voluntarily go on strike—including public sector employees. This marks a significant shift in Oregon’s longstanding unemployment insurance system, which was designed to support workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own—not those engaged in labor disputes.
Why it matters for business:
Employers—especially small businesses—pay the full cost of Oregon’s UI system. SB 916 would force tens of thousands of small employers to subsidize the labor disputes of much larger corporations or public agencies. It will increase pressure on an already expensive UI system, potentially raising future UI tax rates and undermining the financial stability of the fund.
Business associations across the state, alongside Oregon’s school superintendents and local governments, are strongly opposing SB 916. The bill would dismantle a long-standing agreement between employers and labor that has safeguarded the integrity and financial health of Oregon’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) system. For decades, both sides have agreed that the UI fund should only support workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own—not those engaged in strikes.
We urge all Chamber members to contact our local House delegation and ask them to vote NO on SB 916.
Senate Bill 916 is heading to the House floor and we need your help.
SB 916 would extend unemployment insurance (UI) benefits to workers who voluntarily go on strike—including public sector employees. This marks a significant shift in Oregon’s longstanding unemployment insurance system, which was designed to support workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own—not those engaged in labor disputes.
Why it matters for business:
Employers—especially small businesses—pay the full cost of Oregon’s UI system. SB 916 would force tens of thousands of small employers to subsidize the labor disputes of much larger corporations or public agencies. It will increase pressure on an already expensive UI system, potentially raising future UI tax rates and undermining the financial stability of the fund.
Business associations across the state, alongside Oregon’s school superintendents and local governments, are strongly opposing SB 916. The bill would dismantle a long-standing agreement between employers and labor that has safeguarded the integrity and financial health of Oregon’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) system. For decades, both sides have agreed that the UI fund should only support workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own—not those engaged in strikes.
We urge all Chamber members to contact our local House delegation and ask them to vote NO on SB 916.
👉 Click the button above to send a letter opposing SB 916. You’ll be directed to a platform where you can send testimony directly to local House members.
If the button does not open your mail application, please copy and paste the following text into your preferred email client:
To:
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject Line:
Please Vote NO ON SB 916 – UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR STRIKING WORKERS
Body:
Dear Speaker Fahey, Representative Fragala, Representative Harbick, Representative Nathanson, and Representative Lively,
As a local business owner and active member of our Chamber of Commerce, I am writing to respectfully urge you to vote NO on SB 916, which would extend unemployment insurance (UI) benefits to workers engaged in strikes.
Oregon’s UI system has always been a safeguard for individuals who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. SB 916 shifts that foundation by allowing workers who voluntarily walk off the job during labor disputes to access benefits funded solely by employers.
This is deeply concerning. The UI Trust Fund is 100% employer-funded. Workers do not contribute. SB 916 would require tens of thousands of small businesses—including those like mine that are unlikely to ever face a strike—to subsidize labor disputes between large corporations or public entities and their unions. It would also place additional strain on Oregon’s already expensive UI system and could increase payroll tax rates at a time when many small businesses are still stabilizing from recent economic challenges.
Beyond the direct cost, this bill creates incentives for longer and more frequent strikes—delaying services and weakening economic confidence across our communities.
I respectfully ask you to protect Oregon’s small business community and vote NO on SB 916 to maintain the integrity and intent of our UI system.
Sincerely,
If the button does not open your mail application, please copy and paste the following text into your preferred email client:
To:
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject Line:
Please Vote NO ON SB 916 – UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR STRIKING WORKERS
Body:
Dear Speaker Fahey, Representative Fragala, Representative Harbick, Representative Nathanson, and Representative Lively,
As a local business owner and active member of our Chamber of Commerce, I am writing to respectfully urge you to vote NO on SB 916, which would extend unemployment insurance (UI) benefits to workers engaged in strikes.
Oregon’s UI system has always been a safeguard for individuals who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. SB 916 shifts that foundation by allowing workers who voluntarily walk off the job during labor disputes to access benefits funded solely by employers.
This is deeply concerning. The UI Trust Fund is 100% employer-funded. Workers do not contribute. SB 916 would require tens of thousands of small businesses—including those like mine that are unlikely to ever face a strike—to subsidize labor disputes between large corporations or public entities and their unions. It would also place additional strain on Oregon’s already expensive UI system and could increase payroll tax rates at a time when many small businesses are still stabilizing from recent economic challenges.
Beyond the direct cost, this bill creates incentives for longer and more frequent strikes—delaying services and weakening economic confidence across our communities.
I respectfully ask you to protect Oregon’s small business community and vote NO on SB 916 to maintain the integrity and intent of our UI system.
Sincerely,
ADVOCACY IN THE COMMUNITY - YOUR CHAMBER REPRESENTING YOU
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