Opinion ID: 1804009
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Law Governing Claims of Striking Workers.

Text: An employee who is not working due to a stoppage of work which exists because of a labor dispute is disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits. Iowa Code § 96.5(4). The work stoppage must be the cause of the unemployment to result in disqualification. Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. v. Employment Appeal Bd., 570 N.W.2d 85, 91 (Iowa 1997). In Bridgestone/Firestone, we held that when an employer permanently replaces striking workers, it thereby severs the employment relationship unless the employer can show work remained despite the replacement and the claimant was so advised. Id. at 95-96. Thus, where striking workers have been permanently replaced and the employer fails to show that work remained and that workers were advised that work remained, the labor dispute and its consequent work stoppage is no longer the cause of the claimants' unemployment. Id. at 95. In those circumstances, the disqualification imposed by section 96.5(4) is removed. Id. We turn now to the issues on appeal.