Is this because they get limited compensation from the union for a short time during strikes and lockouts, and by being laid off at this time, this employment insurance may kick in around the same time as their union strike benefits dwindle?

I know so little about these things. I’m just going by what my wife has mentioned in passing, and she was a local president (not as glorious a position as it sounds – more like whomever got the short straw every two years).