It's official: I am now another black mark against George W. Bush's legacy

[Larkspur]

I filed for Unemployment today in Southbridge, MA. I worked for a major financial services company in Massachusetts for almost 13 years. My duties were taken over by an H-1B visa holder from India. I liked the kid but I oppose the corporate philosophy that condones importing foreign labor at the expense of Americans.

WooHoo! I’m now a black mark, small though it is, against George W. Bush’s presidential legacy. Short party over here; short party over there! We had a 17 degree high today, so you have to stay indoors or keep moving when you are outdoors.

I was laid off in mid November but still paid as an employee until the end of 2008. I do get 5 months severance.

Took advantage of the cold weather today hoping that it would keep the crowds away. It did. The office staff told me that it was packed from Monday – Thursday with 2 hour waits. I had only a 15 minute wait today to be processed by an unemployment claims rep. I told the claims rep that I’ve never filed for unemployment before and am doing it now because I wanted to be another black mark against George W. Bush’s legacy. She laughed as she entered my information into their system. She told me that Unemployment in Massachusetts is overwhelmed. The adjusters, who will have to review my case, are 4 to 6 weeks behind schedule. I told her that last week I talked with Connecticut’s Secretary of State, Susan Bysiewicz (She’s a Democrat), and she said CT’s Unemployment is overwhelmed too. FYI, CT’S SoS is exploring the possibility of running for Governor of CT.

My claims rep told me that Massachusetts has the highest unemployment compensation in the country and that I qualify for the maximum amount per week -- $628 -- but the adjuster has to review it. She said the adjusters are overwhelmed so it would be between 4-6 weeks before they called me and I would not get my first check until the adjuster approves it. She also told me that the phone lines to call into each week with my job search status are overwhelmed. I also registered with them and with CT’s Workforce departments for job searching services. I have an appointment next Thursday with one of their job search reps, so we’ll see what she has to say. I can also access their job search services via my home PC. That will be nice, especially when the winter storms hit.

[Warpy]

1. That sounds like Boston in 1973

Once your claim was processed, you had to show up once a week to sign for your check. The lines stretched for two blocks. All you did was sign a register and they'd hand your check over. Nobody asked if you'd looked for work and nobody suggested you try. There was just nothing out there.

Eventually most people found jobs but they never found the same paychecks. Wages just never kept pace with even the fake government inflation numbers after the early 70s.

Good luck. I've been where you are and it's not your fault and it's terribly depressing.

[mnhtnbb]

2. Sorry to hear you've joined the unemployment line. At least you're getting decent benefits.

Unless your mortgage is 2K/month. Hope you can get by.

[Larkspur]

4. I live in a duplex and my friend and I split the mortgage payment

less than $500 a month, but then I live about 35 to 50 miles from the nearest cities, where the work is. I was paying $300 a month to fill up my car's gas tank when I worked. I'm saving most of that money now that I'm not driving as much.

[TahitiNut]

3. It must be you imagination. MANY DUers will assure you that an H-1B visa CAN'T take your job.

I expect this thread to be FILLED with self-proclaimed 'experts' that will, with total certainty, tell you that American citizens can't lose their jobs to H-1B visa holders ... that it's (gasp!!) illegal ... and that it's a simple matter of reporting this to the appropriate enforcement authorities. Yep. Doesn't that just make you fell all warm and fuzzy? No worries.

:eyes: