‘Does this encourage strikes?’: Jake skeptical of new unemployment benefits for striking workers

A new law, scheduled to take effect in 2026, will provide up to six weeks of unemployment benefits for workers who decide to go on strike.

Jake Skorheim and Spike O’Neill, co-hosts of “The Jake and Spike Show “on KIRO Newsradio, both criticized the idea, arguing that giving benefits to striking workers would only encourage more strikes and cost taxpayers more money.

“This one I’m not crazy about, to be completely honest with you. I think it’s taxpayers picking up the tab for unemployment,” Spike said. “I’m a big believer in unemployment benefits. I lived off them for almost a year. It’s one thing when you’re laid off from a job, but when people make the conscious decision to strike? Yeah, this one I’m not crazy about.”

“That’s kind of what I thought. There’s a risk versus reward. You are having to make the hard decision of, ‘Hey, am I willing to go without for a little bit, hopefully not too long, but for a little bit to secure a better deal?'” Jake said. “It’ll be interesting to see if the average strike length gets longer because people aren’t feeling the effects. Washington teachers, who, from time to time, do go on strike, even though it’s illegal in our state to do so, but they do this. Does this not encourage them to go on strike?”

“I’m with you. I think it does. It’s a state-funded parachute,” Spike responded.

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.