John Fetterman, the senior U.S. senator from Pennsylvania, has proposed a new bill to increase striking workers’ access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Alongside Representatives Alma Adams (D-North Carolina) and Greg Cesar (D-Texas), the Food Secure Strikers Act was introduced.
“The union way of life is sacred – it’s what built Pennsylvania and this nation. Every single union worker walking the picket line needs to know that we have their back here in Washington,” Fetterman stated. “To protect workers’ right to organize, we must ensure they can put food on the tables for themselves and their families while on strike. I’m proud to lead the effort to ensure workers never need to choose between fighting for fair working conditions and feeding their families. I hope to see this critical legislation passed this Congress.”
By enabling striking workers and their family to be eligible for food assistance—a benefit presently denied to them under federal law—this legislative attempt aims to close a gap in SNAP eligibility.
Workers who go on strike are not eligible for SNAP benefits under current regulations unless they were already receiving them prior to the start of the strike.
“Labor unions were essential in building strong safety nets and worker protections in this country. It’s time we return the favor to our striking workers,” Adams stated. “By allowing strikers to access SNAP, we help ensure they don’t need to choose between feeding their families or fighting for fair working conditions.”
“If a worker goes on strike, the government shouldn’t punish them by taking away things like food stamps,” Congressman Greg Casar stated. “People shouldn’t have to choose between their right to strike and going hungry. Let’s get rid of this anti-union law.”
Striking employees and their families may find themselves in a challenging situation as a result of this exclusion, especially if the strike lasts for a long time and their income is disrupted.
According to Fetterman’s office, the existing regulations essentially penalize employees who take part in labor activities to raise their pay, benefits, or working conditions.
By lifting the ban on striking workers receiving SNAP benefits, the new measure seeks to address this.
If approved, the law would explicitly state that any household that satisfies the SNAP income requirements is eligible for benefits, even if one of its members is participating in a labor strike.
Working-class families who depend on SNAP to make ends meet would greatly benefit from this, particularly when their main breadwinners are on strike and their regular income is interrupted.
The Teamsters and the National Education Association (NEA) are two well-known labor groups that have already endorsed the Food Secure Strikers Act.
Particularly during strikes, these unions have historically defended workers’ rights to equitable access to social safety nets.
Their support for the law highlights how crucial it is to help workers who are battling for better working conditions but are currently facing extreme financial hardship as a result of their work stoppage.
A larger initiative to uphold workers’ rights and guarantee they have the means to sustain themselves and their families in the event of a labor dispute includes Fetterman’s measure.
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The law may help striking workers become more financially stable so they can concentrate on their talks without having to worry about food insecurity.
The Food Secure Strikers Act aims to advance equity and unity for individuals defending their rights on the picket lines by lifting the SNAP eligibility limitations for striking employees.
By guaranteeing that workers do not experience food insecurity while they struggle for improved working conditions, this bill, if passed, might establish a new standard for how the government assists workers during labor unrest.
A growing understanding of the necessity of strengthening the social safety net for working families, especially in times of economic turbulence, is reflected in the proposal.
This Information has been sourced from abc27.
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