Sec. 207.048. LABOR DISPUTES. (a) An individual is disqualified for benefits for a benefit period in which the individual's total or partial unemployment is caused by:

(1) the individual's stoppage of work because of a labor dispute at the factory, establishment, or other premises where the individual is or was last employed; or

(2) a labor dispute at another place that:

(A) is owned or operated by the same employing unit that owns or operates the premises where the individual is or was last employed; and

(B) supplies material or services necessary to the continued and usual operation of the premises where the individual is or was last employed.

(b) Disqualification for benefits under this section does not apply to an individual who shows to the satisfaction of the commission that the individual:

(1) is not participating in, financing, or directly interested in the labor dispute; and

(2) does not belong to a grade or class of workers any members of which were employed at the premises of the labor dispute immediately before the beginning of the labor dispute and any of whom are participating in, financing, or directly interested in the dispute.

(c) For the purposes of Subsection (b)(1), failure or refusal to cross a picket line or refusal for any reason during the continuance of the labor dispute to accept and perform an individual's available and customary work at the factory, establishment, or other premises where the individual is or was last employed constitutes participation and interest in the labor dispute.

(d) An individual may not be disqualified for benefits under Subsection (b)(2) if the individual shows that the individual:

(1) is not, and at the time of the labor dispute, was not:

(A) a member of a labor organization that is the same as, represented by, or directly affiliated, acting in concert, or in sympathy with the labor organization involved in the labor dispute at the premises of the labor dispute; or

(B) acting in concert or in sympathy with the labor organization involved in the labor dispute at the premises of the labor dispute; and

(2) has made an unconditional offer to return to work at the premises where the individual is or was last employed.

(e) If separate branches of work that are commonly conducted as separate businesses in separate premises are conducted in separate departments of the same premises, each department is a separate factory, establishment, or other premises.

(f) For the purposes of this section, "premises" includes a vessel.

Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.