Estimated benefits for strikers would account for just 0.04% of total statewide UI expenditures: Estimated UI benefits for strikers compared with statewide UI expenditures, 2021–2024
| a | SB 8 waiting period | 14 days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| b | Qualifying strikes, 2021–2024 | 2 | |
| c | Eligible strikers | 1,750 | |
| d | State UI recipiency rate, 2023 | 37.3% | |
| e | Strikers who apply for benefits | 653 | = c × d |
| f | UI average weekly benefit amount | $397.18 | |
| g | Avg duration of qualifying strikes | 3.5 weeks | |
| h | Estimated benefits paid to strikers, 2021–2024 | $907,750 | = e × f × g |
| i | State UI expenditures, 2021–2024 | $2,344,478,976 | |
| j | Striker benefits as % of UI expenditures | 0.04% | = h ÷ i |
| Assuming 100% recipiency | |||
| k | Estimated benefits paid to strikers, 2021–2024 | $2,432,716 | |
| l | Striker benefits as % of UI expenditures | 0.10% | = k ÷ i |
Notes: Small differences in multiplication are due to rounding. Labor Action Tracker data cover strikes that occurred between January 2021 and November 2024. Unemployment insurance recipiency rates are based on data from 2023. State UI expenditure data span January 2021 through November 2024. Average weekly benefit amount is calculated by dividing benefits paid by weeks compensated.
Source: EPI analysis of strike data from Cornell University ILR School & University of Illinois LER School’s Labor Action Tracker, January 2021–November 2024; unemployment insurance recipiency rates and monthly program data from the U.S. Department of Labor; and industry employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, March 2023.
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