SECTION 1. (a) As used in this section the following terms shall, unless the context requires otherwise, have the following meanings:-

“Director”, director of the department of unemployment assistance established pursuant to section 1 of chapter 151A of the General Laws.

“Employer”, an electric company or gas company as defined by section 1 of chapter 164, which is required to pay a contribution under subsection (i) of section 14 of said chapter 151A.

“Secretary”, the secretary of labor and workforce development established pursuant to section 1 of chapter 23 of the General Laws.

(b) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the secretary, in consultation with the director, shall establish a benefit program for any individual who is involuntarily unemployed during the period of the negotiation of a collective bargaining contract because of an employer’s lockout.

(c) Any individual eligible for benefits under section 24 of chapter 151A shall, upon the exhaustion of all rights to regular and extended benefits under chapter 151A and who has no rights to benefits or compensation under chapter 151A or any other state unemployment compensation law or under federal law, be eligible for benefits payable from the program established by the secretary under subsection (b) at the same weekly benefit rate as provided for under section 29 of chapter 151A, until the resolution of the lockout, but in no event beyond the date of the commencement of a strike. No benefits shall be paid to an individual pursuant to subsection (b) who is disqualified from benefits under section 25 of chapter 151A.

(d) The director shall assess each employer at a rate equal to the employer’s contribution rate required by subsection (i) of section 14 of said chapter 151A; provided, that the costs of compliance with this section shall not be borne by ratepayers of an employer. The director shall seek reimbursement from employers for all costs and expenses associated with the costs of implementation of the program in addition to the costs of benefits payable pursuant to subsection (c). Each employer shall be assessed monthly, in a manner to be determined by the director; provided, that the director may utilize, for the purposes of implementation of the program, the existing unemployment insurance trust fund, if appropriate.

(e) The secretary may, in consultation with the director, take any action required for the administration and enforcement of this section.