Union worker not getting calls - Can I claim unemployment on standby during off-season?

yes u can get unemployment! i'm also union (diff trade tho) and i apply every slow season. gotta ask ur hall for a "not working" letter that says theres no work. bring that when u file. they look at ur highest quarters for calculating ur benefit. its like 60% of ur average weekly pay up to the max (which is like $950 i think?).

You absolutely can and should file for unemployment insurance benefits as a union member during your slow season. Here's what you need to know: 1. Union workers qualify for UI when work isn't available through your hall 2. ESD calculates your benefit amount based on your base year wages (typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters) 3. For standby status: Yes, this applies to seasonal/cyclical industries like construction. With standby, you can be excused from job search requirements for up to 8 weeks if your employer/union verifies you have a return date or will be recalled when work picks up 4. Your weekly benefit amount will be approximately 60-65% of your average weekly wage up to the maximum benefit ($984 in 2025) I strongly recommend requesting the "lack of work" verification from your union hall before filing. This documentation helps establish your eligibility and can support your standby request. Without standby, you'd need to complete 3 job search activities each week. Be aware that taking temporary non-union work will affect your weekly benefits - ESD will deduct a portion of those earnings from your UI payment.

dont listen to ur roomate!! unemployment isn't free money and they CHECK if ur actually looking for work. my cousin got in big trouble for collecting when he couldve taken a job. they made him pay EVRYTHING back with penalties!!!

I've been through this exact situation. Here's what has worked for me as a union electrician: 1. First, go to your union hall and request a statement confirming lack of available work and expected recall date (even if approximate) 2. When filing your initial claim, answer "yes" when asked if you expect to return to your employer and request standby status 3. When completing your weekly claims, you'll certify that you're still attached to your union and ready to accept suitable work through your hiring hall As for benefit calculation, they'll look at your highest-earning quarters during your base year. For union construction workers with variable income, this often works in your favor. The standby status is critical - it allows you to remain eligible for benefits without the job search requirements for a limited time (typically max 8 weeks per benefit year). One tip: keep detailed records of all communications with both your union and ESD. The system gets backlogged easily, and having documentation has saved me multiple times when issues arose.

I work in a different kind of union but I've been on unemployment before and they're SOOO slow to process claims these days. I filed in November and didn't get my first payment until almost January!!! By then I was broke and had to borrow money from family. Make sure you have some backup plan while waiting.

I'm in a union too and this is my third year dealing with ESD during slow season. BIG TIP: Make 100% sure your union hall doesn't have ANY possible work for you before filing. My coworker got an overpayment notice for $5200 because there was actually a job he couldve taken but he didnt check the board that week. ESD found out and said he wasnt eligible!!

Just to clarify something important about standby status for union workers: ESD typically grants standby to union members during seasonal slowdowns, but there are specific requirements: 1. Your union must verify the lack of available work 2. You must remain on the out-of-work list and be available for dispatch 3. You must have a reasonable expectation of returning to work through your union If you take non-union work while on standby, you must report those earnings on your weekly claim. If the non-union job becomes full-time permanent employment, you would no longer qualify for benefits. Standby status is typically limited to 8 weeks per benefit year, though extensions may be possible in certain circumstances. After your standby period expires, you would need to conduct and document 3 job search activities each week to remain eligible. The calculation for benefits is based on your highest-earning quarters in your base year, which can benefit union workers with variable income throughout the year.

@username8 - Yes, that's exactly right. When you have approved standby status, you're temporarily exempt from the job search requirements. This is specifically designed for situations like seasonal work or temporary layoffs where there's a clear expectation you'll return to your employer or union dispatch. While on standby, you still file weekly claims but don't need to complete the 3 job search activities normally required. However, you must remain available for suitable work if it becomes available through your union hall. But remember - standby is time-limited (usually 8 weeks max per benefit year). After that period expires, you would need to begin conducting and documenting job searches unless you receive an extension or return to work.

Just wanted to add one more thing that helped me - when you get that verification letter from your union hall, ask them to include the specific language about "no work available in your classification" and an estimated timeframe for when work might pick up (even if it's just "spring season" or "when weather improves"). ESD seems to process standby requests faster when the union documentation is really clear about why there's no work and when you might be recalled. Also, if your hall has multiple classifications/trades, make sure the letter specifies YOUR specific trade - I've seen claims delayed because the paperwork was too general. One last tip: file your claim online on Sunday night or early Monday morning if possible. The system is usually less overloaded then and you're more likely to get through without technical issues. Good luck!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - make sure you understand how your union dues affect your unemployment benefits. Some halls require you to stay current on dues even during slow periods to maintain good standing for dispatch. I learned this the hard way when I got behind on dues while collecting UI and then couldn't get dispatched when work picked back up. Also, if you do end up taking that temp job while waiting for union work, just know that ESD will reduce your weekly benefit by about 75% of what you earn over $5. So if your UI benefit would be $400/week and you make $200 at the temp job, you'd get about $255 from UI that week ($400 minus 75% of $195). Sometimes it's still worth it financially, but run the numbers first. The key is being completely honest on your weekly claims about any work and earnings - even if it's just a day here and there. ESD cross-references with employment records and will catch discrepancies eventually.

I went through this exact situation last year as a union carpenter. Few things to add that might help: 1. When you get that verification letter from your hall, ask them to date it for when the slow period actually started, not when you request it. This can help with your claim start date. 2. If you're worried about the processing delays everyone mentioned, consider applying online late at night (like 11pm-1am) when fewer people are on the system. I had much better luck that way. 3. Don't forget that your benefit amount is also affected by any pension contributions or other deductions from your union paychecks during your base period. ESD uses your gross wages, so sometimes your UI benefit might be higher than your take-home was on some smaller jobs. 4. Keep checking with your hall even while on standby - sometimes short-term jobs pop up that weren't there the day before. Better to work a few days and report it properly than miss opportunities. The standby route is definitely your best bet for the seasonal slowdown. Just make sure all your paperwork is solid before you file. Good luck!