Washington lawmakers push radical labor bills that hurt businesses and reward undocumented workers
Because making Washington even less business-friendly wasn’t enough—they had to make it a magnet for illegal employment too.
Washington Democrats, led by Sen. Rebecca Saldaña (D-Seattle) and Rep. Liz Berry (D-Seattle), are pushing Senate Bill 5626 and House Bill 1773, two bills designed to increase union power, limit employer rights, impose costly new mandates on businesses, and create taxpayer-funded benefits for undocumented workers.
Supporters claim these bills will protect workers, but in reality, they will discourage job growth, force businesses to raise prices, and make Washington even less attractive for employers.
If these bills pass, expect:
More government control over private labor negotiations
Higher costs for businesses, leading to job losses and price hikes
Stronger union influence at the expense of worker choice
Unemployment benefits for undocumented workers, funded by payroll taxes on employers
This isn’t about fairness—it’s about giving unions more leverage, forcing businesses to subsidize illegal employment, and leaving Washington’s legal workforce and consumers on the losing end.
What SB 5626 and HB 1773 do
These bills increase government interference in labor relations while expanding benefits for undocumented workers.
SB 5626 expands union rights in public sector bargaining, giving unions more influence over labor contracts and negotiations.
HB 1773 creates a taxpayer-funded "wage replacement" program for undocumented workers who are unemployed and ineligible for traditional unemployment benefits.
Both bills increase state oversight of labor disputes, putting the government in the middle of employer-worker relations and forcing businesses to comply with new costly mandates.
Instead of encouraging fair and voluntary negotiations, these bills tilt the playing field in favor of unions, increase government interference in private labor matters, and divert employer payroll taxes to fund unemployment benefits for those who aren’t even legally authorized to work.
Why these bills are dangerous
They create unemployment benefits for undocumented workers—funded by employers
Currently, undocumented workers are not eligible for state or federal unemployment benefits because they do not have legal work authorization. HB 1773 changes that by creating a state-funded wage replacement program specifically for undocumented workers.
This program will be funded by a payroll tax surcharge on businesses, meaning legal employers will be forced to cover unemployment benefits for workers who were never eligible in the first place.
This removes one of the few remaining barriers to illegal employment, incentivizing more undocumented workers to come to Washington for jobs.
It creates an unfair system where undocumented workers get benefits funded by employers, while legal employees continue paying into an overburdened unemployment system.
If Washington already has one of the worst business climates in the country, why make it even harder for employers to stay afloat?
They give unions more power while limiting worker choice
These bills strengthen union influence over workplaces while reducing the ability of workers and employers to negotiate directly.
More pressure on employees to join unions as collective bargaining rights are expanded.
Less flexibility for workers who don’t want union representation.
More government oversight in labor disputes, increasing bureaucratic control over hiring and firing decisions.
Instead of letting workers and employers negotiate freely, these bills inject the state into labor relations, making it harder for businesses to operate efficiently.
They make Washington even more hostile to employers
Washington already ranks among the worst states for business, thanks to high taxes and heavy regulations. These bills would:
Discourage businesses from expanding or hiring more workers.
Increase costs for employers, leading to higher prices for consumers.
Drive more businesses out of state, following in the footsteps of companies like Boeing and Starbucks.
Instead of helping workers, these bills will hurt them by making jobs harder to find and keeping wages lower.
They force businesses to comply with unnecessary regulations
Under HB 1773, employers would be forced to disclose more information about workplace conditions, creating costly new compliance burdens for small businesses.
Increased administrative costs for businesses already struggling with Washington’s regulations.
More legal risks for employers, leading to more lawsuits and compliance issues.
More government involvement in labor disputes, reducing private-sector autonomy.
This isn’t about transparency—it’s about making it harder for businesses to operate freely while forcing them to fund benefits for undocumented workers.
Who are the winners?
Union bosses, who get more power over businesses and workers.
Government bureaucrats, who expand their role in private labor negotiations.
Undocumented workers, who will receive unemployment benefits for the first time—paid for by employers.
Who are the losers?
Workers, who will see fewer job opportunities and less workplace flexibility.
Small businesses, which will struggle to keep up with new mandates and payroll tax increases.
Consumers, who will pay higher prices as businesses pass along new costs.
This isn’t about protecting workers—it’s about shifting power to unions, subsidizing illegal employment, and making it harder to run a business in Washington.
What’s next?
If SB 5626 and HB 1773 pass, expect:
More government interference in labor relations.
Higher business costs, leading to job losses and price increases.
Unemployment benefits extended to undocumented workers, funded by employers.
Instead of helping workers and businesses thrive, these bills create more red tape and make Washington even less competitive.