Please read the below email from the WA State Labor Council with some helpful links:

Hello labor leaders, worker advocates and community partners:

There is a lot going on in the world of worker protections and benefits this week. See below for important info.

1. ESD covid-19 partner toolkit (attached) – the federal CARES Act expands unemployment insurance benefits on April 18^th -- ESD has provided a comprehensive toolkit for communicating with workers about unemployment, including Q&A and items to share on social media.
2. Here are four UI steps workers can take today:

1. Stay up to date. If you haven’t already, please sign up for ESD’s COVID-19 action alerts. You can do so on the agency’s COVID page (esd.wa.gov/newsroom/covid-19).
2. Check your eligibility. Learn more about your eligibility and when to apply for benefits using the new eligibility checker. We are encouraging those eligible for regular unemployment to apply now, and newly eligible to wait until after April 18.
3. Get ready to apply. Download the application checklist.
4. Set up your account. Watch the tutorial video to set up your account correctly. It is nine minutes long but will likely save a lot of time.

3. Governor Inslee announced two important actions to protect workers this week:

Workers’ Comp clarification: any essential worker who believes they have a work-based claim should apply – LNI will take it into consideration. Three criteria are used to review any claim:

1. Was there a high risk or greater likelihood of exposure or contracting the disease due to the worker’s occupation?
2. If not for their job, would the worker have been exposed or contracted the condition?
3. Can the worker identify a specific source or event during their employment that resulted in exposure to COVID-19?

High-risk workers can protect themselves from covid-19 without jeopardizing their employment status or losing income.

4. Unemployment and workplace safety resources (attached) from last week’s webinar with ESD and LNI.
5. The moratorium on evictions has been extended until June 4^th and expanded to ban late fees and rent increases, cover hotels and similar living situations, and more.
6. Facebook Live with WSLC Secretary Treasurer April Sims | THU 4/23 5p – join WSLC for a covid-19 update for workers. Secretary Treasurer Sims will share info on unemployment benefits, worker’s comp, workplace safety, the moratorium on evictions and more!

In solidarity,

Sybill Hyppolite (she/her)

Legislative Director

Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO

shyppolite@wslc.org

206.475.5783

Annuity CARES Act - Covid 19 Funds Flash with Notice.pdf

COVID-19 partner toolkit powerpoint.pptx

Unemployment and workplace safety resources for covid-19.pdf