U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) today co-led introduction of the Striking Workers Healthcare Protection Act, new legislation that will require employers to continue providing health insurance to workers on strike. In recent years, corporations have canceled or threatened to cancel health insurance for workers on strike – putting workers and their families at risk of paying for lifesaving treatments and care out of their own pocket while they exercise their right to strike for better wages and treatment. The legislation is sponsored by Rep. Cindy Axne (D-IA-03) and has the support of Reps. Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), Brian Higgins (D-NY-26), Andy Levin (D-MI-09), Jim McGovern (D-MA-02), Linda Sánchez (D-CA-38), and Nikema Williams (D-GA-05).

“National support for unions is at its highest levels in decades. Amid positive change in the jobs economy, more and more workers are striking for higher wages and better treatment,” said Rep. Pascrell. “But unscrupulous corporations are trying to crush workers’ rights by threatening striking workers’ health care plans. This reprehensible management tactic can no longer be allowed and our legislation will put a stop to it once and for all. Workers must be allowed to exercise their rights free of extortion and intimidation.”

During the United Auto Workers strike this past fall, John Deere threatened to cancel the health care coverage of thousands of striking employees in Iowa and across the Midwest. John Deere ultimately decided to continue that coverage before reaching a final contract with UAW workers.

Members of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers’ International Union (BCTGM) Local 37 have been without health care benefits since January 1, 2022 while on strike against Rich Products at the Jon Donaire Desserts plant in Santa Fe Springs, California.

In the past, corporations have used cancelling health care coverage as a method of breaking strikes. In recent years, both General Motors and Hawaiian Telecom terminated medical benefits during strikes.

The Striking Workers Healthcare Protection Act is endorsed by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace & Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers, and Grain Millers (BCTGM), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Communications Workers of America (CWA), United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), International Association of Iron Workers (IW), and United Steelworkers (USW).