Locked Out Workers May Not Get Unemployment Benefits

Retha Colclasure | 3/12/2013

The Supreme Court recently ruled in their favor, but now North Dakota workers locked out in the ongoing labor dispute with American Crystal Sugar Company may still not get unemployment benefits. That`s thanks to an amendment slipped in to a Job Service bill during a State Senate Industry, Business and Labor committee hearing yesterday.

The bill hadn`t been on the agenda to be discussed, but was brought up, and language added to make a person ineligible for unemployment benefits if they are unemployed due to a strike or lockout. Last month, the state Supreme Court ruled in a split decision that locked-out workers were entitled to benefits.

The amendment to House Bill 1112 is being considered as an emergency measure. The workers have been locked out since August 2011.

COMMENT ON THIS STORY