Advocates say fear of financial hardship undermines bargaining leverage. Opponents say the bill will increase business costs or prolong work stoppages.
Fishing companies say long waits between seasons can be common, but labor experts say offshore foreign workers are “uniquely unprotected” under U.S. policies.
Washington’s unemployment rate falls again, seemingly pointing to a better economy, but this slow-going recovery makes the overall picture a confusing one.
Benefits paid to unemployed workers in Washington set a record in 2010. And one broad measure of unemployment puts the true jobless rate here at over 18 percent.