CA SB1116

Amends Section 1262 of the Unemployment Insurance Code to restore unemployment benefits eligibility after the first 2 weeks for employees who leave work due to a trade dispute.

Excludes lockouts from the trade dispute ineligibility provision, ensuring employees locked out by employers remain eligible for benefits regardless of whether the lockout anticipated a trade dispute.

Defines "lockout" using the same meaning as Section 1132.8 of the Labor Code.

Codifies existing case law from Coast Packing Co. v. California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board (1966) that protects eligibility for individuals deprived of work due to employer lockouts or similar actions.

Expands unemployment benefit eligibility categories, creating an appropriation from the continuously appropriated Unemployment Fund.