April 8, 2020

The Honorable Ralph S. Northam
Governor of Virginia
Common Ground for Virginia
PO Box 1475
Richmond, Virginia 23218

Dear Governor Northam,

On behalf of Social Action Linking Together (SALT), a grassroots organization concerned with instituting policies that advance social justice and economic security, I am writing to seek your support for enactment of a type of unemployment insurance called short-time compensation (also known as “work sharing,” or “shared work”) in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In the past, SALT was pleased to work with Sen. George L. Barker and Sen. William M. Stanley, Jr., who were co-patrons of a bipartisan temporary short-time compensation bill enacted in 2014, however the law expired in 2016.

Given the severe hardships resulting from the Covid-19 emergency, without short-time compensation Virginia employers and workers are now in a more adverse situation. Research has shown short-time compensation is an effective tool to prevent job loss in the 28 states that have programs. Workers benefit because they remain partially employed and receive pro-rated unemployment benefits to offset wage losses. Employers benefit because they retain skilled workers during tough times and are able to rebound quickly once the economy recovers, saving them the costs of hiring and training.

The recently enacted federal CARES Act offers incentives for states like Virginia that currently do not have short-time compensation. Federal grants-in-aid are also available to implement and promote state programs. To provide additional help to employers and workers in the Commonwealth during this emergency Virginia should enact a permanent short-time compensation law.

Sincerely,

John Horejsi, Coordinator
Social Action Linking Together (SALT) 9610 Counsellor Dr, NW
Vienna, VA 22181
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