Can union workers collect unemployment benefits in Washington state?

That's a relief to hear! Do I need to register with WorkSource or can I just rely on my union's job board for the work search requirement?

You still need to register with WorkSource and meet the general work search requirements. The union job board can count as part of your job search activities, but Washington ESD expects you to cast a wider net than just union opportunities.

This is really important advice. I know someone who got an overpayment notice because they didn't report some short-term union work properly.

Good point about reporting earnings. Our union jobs can be pretty sporadic so I'll need to be careful about that.

Never heard of this service but honestly anything that helps get through to ESD sounds worth trying. Those phone lines are impossible.

Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely check this out if I run into issues with my claim.

I'm not sure if my local has a SUB plan. I should probably ask my business agent about that.

Definitely ask about that. SUB payments can reduce your weekly benefit amount, so it's important to know if your union provides them.

That's an old misconception. Union members can file for unemployment benefits immediately when they're laid off, just like any other worker. You don't have to wait for the union to exhaust their job opportunities first.

Yeah that's definitely not true anymore. I filed the week after I got laid off and had no problems.

What counts as 'suitable work' though? I mean, I'm not going to take a minimum wage job when I'm a skilled tradesman.

Generally, work is considered suitable if it pays at least 70% of your previous wage and uses your skills. So as a skilled electrician, you wouldn't be expected to take a retail job, but you might need to consider non-union electrical work.

What kind of documentation did they want? I should probably gather that stuff now just in case.

They wanted pay stubs, union membership verification, and some forms from his local about his employment status. It took a few weeks to sort out.

That's good to know! I always thought union stuff didn't count for the work search requirement.

It definitely counts, but you still need to do other job search activities too. Can't rely solely on union opportunities.

Being on the out-of-work list is actually a good thing for your claim - it shows you're actively seeking work through proper channels. Just make sure you're also looking for work outside the union.

Thanks, that makes sense. I've been applying to some non-union jobs too just to cover my bases.

Yeah, the main difference is just that you have additional job search resources through the union, but the basic unemployment rules are the same.

That's really between you and your union. From an unemployment perspective, it doesn't matter if you're behind on dues. But your union might have rules about work assignments if you're not current.

Good point. I'll talk to my business agent about maybe working out a payment plan.

Did they charge you for that service? I'm trying to be careful with money right now.

They do charge, but it was worth it to get accurate information rather than guessing and potentially messing up my claim.

That's reassuring! What trade are you in, if you don't mind me asking?

I'm a plumber. The process really is the same as any other worker - just make sure you're honest about your availability and job search efforts.

Yep, learned this too. Even if the work doesn't start until next week, you need to report it the week you get the call.

Good to know. I'll make sure to stay on top of any work offers that come through the hall.

I'll definitely check that out. Better to understand the rules upfront than have problems later.

Yeah, there's a lot of misinformation out there. Union workers pay into the unemployment system just like everyone else, so of course we can collect benefits when we're laid off.

Exactly! We're not second-class workers just because we're organized.

That's a great idea. I should check if our local has someone like that.

Most of the bigger locals do. They deal with these questions all the time so they're usually pretty knowledgeable.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I feel much more confident about filing my claim now.

Good luck with your claim! The construction industry can be tough with the seasonal layoffs, but unemployment benefits are there to help bridge those gaps.

Good to know there are options if things get complicated. Hopefully I won't need it, but it's reassuring to know it's there.

Thank you so much for that additional insight! The record-keeping tip is really valuable - I hadn't thought about documenting everything in that much detail. It's also great to hear from someone in IBEW Local 46 since I know you all have similar work patterns to us electricians. I'll definitely make sure to keep track of my hall visits and any training opportunities. Really appreciate everyone's help in this thread - feeling much more prepared to navigate this process now!

This is exactly the kind of detailed advice I was hoping for! The record-keeping suggestion is spot on - I tend to be pretty informal about tracking my job search activities, but having an audit-ready record makes total sense. I'm also really glad to know that union meetings and training can count toward work search requirements. My local offers safety refresher courses pretty regularly, so that could be a good way to stay compliant while also keeping my skills current. Thanks for sharing your experience with IBEW Local 46 - it's reassuring to hear from someone who's actually been through this process multiple times as a union member.

Really appreciate the detailed advice from someone with actual experience! The record-keeping tip is something I definitely wouldn't have thought of on my own. I'm curious though - when you say union meetings can count toward work search requirements, does that include regular monthly meetings or just special job-related meetings? Our local has their regular business meetings but also sometimes has specific meetings about upcoming projects. Also, do you know if the ESD audits are random or do they typically happen when there's some kind of red flag in your claim?

From my experience with Local 46, both types of meetings can potentially count, but it depends on the content. Regular business meetings where work opportunities are discussed definitely count - especially when the business agent talks about upcoming jobs or industry conditions. The special project meetings are even better for work search documentation. As for audits, they seem to be mostly random, though I think people who've had issues before might get flagged more often. I was audited once after about 8 months of claims during the 2008 recession, and it was just a routine thing - they wanted to see my job search log for a 4-week period. Having everything documented made it really straightforward.

This is incredibly helpful information! I'm actually in a similar situation - just got laid off from a commercial electrical job and was nervous about filing for unemployment as a union member. The record-keeping advice is gold - I'm going to start a spreadsheet right away to track everything. Quick question about the training classes - does this include things like OSHA 30 refreshers or continuing education for license renewals? My local offers those pretty regularly and it would be great if they count toward work search requirements. Also really appreciate hearing from someone who's been through an audit - knowing it's mostly routine takes some of the anxiety out of it!

Yes, OSHA refreshers and continuing education for license renewals absolutely count! I've used both types of training in my work search logs multiple times. The key is that they need to be relevant to maintaining or improving your employability in your field. Since electrical work requires current OSHA certification and up-to-date licensing, those courses definitely qualify. Just make sure to document the date, duration, and how it relates to your job search efforts. I usually write something like "Completed OSHA 30 refresher to maintain current certification required for electrical work" in my log. The ESD recognizes that skilled trades require ongoing training to stay competitive in the job market. One tip - if your local offers any new technology training (like smart home systems or renewable energy), those are especially valuable to document since they show you're expanding your skills for emerging job opportunities.

This thread has been incredibly informative! As someone who's been putting off filing for unemployment after getting laid off last month, I finally feel like I understand what I need to do. The record-keeping advice is particularly valuable - I've been casually looking for work but haven't been documenting everything properly. I'm going to start tracking my hall visits, online applications, and any training I do. One question though - if I attend a union-sponsored job fair, would that count as multiple work search activities (since I'd presumably talk to multiple employers) or just as one activity? Also, does anyone know if virtual training courses count the same as in-person ones? My local has started offering some online safety courses that might be easier to fit into my schedule while I'm job hunting.

Great questions about job fairs and virtual training! From what I've experienced, a union job fair would typically count as one work search activity, even though you talk to multiple employers - the ESD looks at it as one event. However, if you follow up individually with specific employers you met at the fair, each of those follow-ups can count as separate activities. As for virtual training, it absolutely counts the same as in-person courses. During COVID, I took several online safety courses and NECA training modules that all counted toward my work search requirements. The key is just documenting them properly - include the course name, provider, date completed, and how many hours. Virtual training is actually great because you can often fit it around your other job search activities. Just make sure the courses are from recognized providers like your local, NECA, or other industry organizations.

This has been such an educational thread! I'm a newer union member (just joined the local pipefitters about 8 months ago) and was really worried about how unemployment would work if I got laid off. The detailed breakdown from everyone, especially about record-keeping and what counts for work search activities, has been invaluable. I had no idea that union meetings and training could count toward work search requirements - that's a game changer since our local has monthly meetings and regular safety training. Quick question though - if I'm on the union's out-of-work list but also applying for non-union jobs to meet the work search requirements, do I need to tell the union about those non-union applications? I don't want to create any issues with my standing in the local, but I also want to make sure I'm meeting all the ESD requirements properly.