Roughly 90% of the 117 hotel workers on strike in Seattle have applied for unemployment benefits — something that wasn’t possible in Washington before this year.
The strike
The strike began June 18 after contract negotiations between UNITE HERE Local 8 and Hilton stalled. Workers are pushing for higher wages, year-round health care coverage, increased staffing levels, and better workplace protections. Union leaders say payments are expected to begin next week if the strike continues.
Why strikers can now collect unemployment
Washington passed a law, effective January 1, 2026, that lets workers collect up to six weeks of unemployment benefits while on strike during a contract dispute. It was a contentious, Democrat-passed law — Republicans opposed it, arguing it would incentivize strikes and put financial pressure on businesses.
How eligibility works
Benefits become available following the second Sunday after a strike begins, plus a standard one-week waiting period. Workers who are locked out by their employer (rather than striking themselves) are also eligible under the same program. One important catch: if a strike is later found to have been prohibited under state or federal law, workers who received benefits would have to pay them back.
What’s happened so far statewide
This isn’t limited to the hotel strike. According to Washington’s Employment Security Department, 142 striking workers statewide received unemployment benefits between January 1 and July 15, 2026 — totaling close to $506,000.
FAQ
Q. Do all striking workers automatically qualify?
A. No. Eligibility starts after the second Sunday of the strike, plus a one-week waiting period, and applies specifically to strikes and lockouts under this law.
Q. What if the strike is ruled illegal?
A. Workers would have to repay any unemployment benefits they received during the strike.
Q. Is this only for Seattle hotel workers?
A. No — it’s a statewide Washington law. The Seattle hotel strike is one specific case where it’s being used.
Q. How long can someone collect benefits while striking?
A. Up to six weeks under the law.
Q. How much has Washington paid out under this law so far?
A. About $506,000 to 142 striking workers between January 1 and July 15, 2026.