A newly proposed bill would allow striking workers to qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits if passed.
Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Democratic Representatives Alma Adams of North Carolina and Greg Casar of Texas introduced the Food Secure Strikers Act this week in an effort to expand SNAP so that union workers can benefit during the times they take off work to strike.
Why It Matters
SNAP offers monthly food assistance to low- and no-income households. In 2023, roughly 42.1 million people relied on SNAP per month, making up 12.6 percent of all U.S. residents.
Recipients get an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which they can then use at grocery stores to purchase food and beverages.
What To Know
The newly proposed Food Secure Strikers Act would enable striking union workers to earn SNAP benefits for the time they are out of work.
Striking workers have historically been excluded from SNAP eligibility unless they were already eligible before the strike.
Unions sometimes help striking workers by offering some support money, but often, the workers are putting their basic necessities, like food and housing, on the line.
If approved, the bill would get rid of the restriction on striking workers from receiving SNAP and also protect public sector workers who are fired from being considered to have voluntarily quit.
The law would also clarify that any income-eligible household can receive SNAP regardless of whether a household member is involved in a strike.
The bill was cosponsored by Alex Padilla of California, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Ron Wyden of Oregon, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Adam Schiff of California, Peter Welch of Vermont, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Ruben Gallego of Arizona, Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico—and one independent, Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
So far, the bill has also been endorsed by the United Food and Commercial Workers, Teamsters, Communications Workers of America, Food Research Action Center, and Hunger-Free America.
What People Are Saying
Senator John Fetterman (PA-D) said in a statement: “The union way of life is sacred – it’s what built Pennsylvania and this nation. Every single union worker walking the picket line needs to know that we have their back here in Washington. To protect workers’ right to organize, we must ensure they can put food on the tables for themselves and their families while on strike.”
Congresswoman Alma Adams said in a statement: “Labor unions were essential in building strong safety nets and worker protections in this country. It’s time we return the favor to our striking workers. By allowing strikers to access SNAP, we help ensure they don’t need to choose between feeding their families or fighting for fair working conditions. Striking takes courage and supporting the Food Secure Strikers Act of 2025 is an important way we can show our solidarity to everyone on the picket line.”
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: In recent months, we’ve seen more proposals of expansions to existing government programs that would cover more in-need individuals. Eliminating current restrictions on SNAP payments to workers on strike would certainly go a long way in helping to assist those who are eligible and would more than likely not be a huge financial strain on the existing program. The issue would be finding widespread support for this proposal at a time when many in Congress are looking to back measures that would cut benefit spending, not expand it.”
Kevin Thompson, CEO of 9i Capital Group and host of the 9innings Podcast, told Newsweek: “The bill would allow striking workers to become eligible for SNAP benefits, something that was previously not permitted. In the past, if you went on strike, you were disqualified from receiving SNAP. Under the proposed change, if you’re on strike and meet the other eligibility criteria, you’d be able to apply for and receive SNAP benefits.”
What Happens Next
If approved, those who were already receiving SNAP before going on strike would be able to keep earning those benefits without any interruptions. However, the law’s passage could also impact how unions determine their responsibilities.
“To be honest, I always thought it was the union’s responsibility to provide for their striking members—to make sure there was a large enough safety net in place to cover costs and offer support during a work stoppage. That’s a core part of what union dues are for, right?” Thompson said.
“If union leadership knows that members can rely on public assistance like SNAP during a strike, does that reduce their incentive to maintain robust strike funds? In other words, could this shift some of the financial burden from the union to the taxpayer?”
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