Unemployed question.

[loudog9999]

So I work tech support for a major PC manufacturer (probably shouldn?t say which one) and I recently find out that my job is being shipped to Nova Scotia. Not only does this suck because I will soon be unemployed but it came at a time that I was finally getting caught up enough to finish college(two more years). Me and some soon to be ex-coworkers were talking and someone mention the Trade Agreement of 1974 and how if lose your job to another country you are eligible for 52 weeks unemployment and 2 years of school paid. Is there any truth to this? That would be so kick A$$ it would be totally worth losing my job to the Canucks.

 

[microAmp]

<< So I work tech support for a major PC manufacturer (probably shouldn?t say which one) and I recently find out that my job is being shipped to Nova Scotia. Not only does this suck because I will soon be unemployed but it came at a time that I was finally getting caught up enough to finish college(two more years). Me and some soon to be ex-coworkers were talking and someone mention the Trade Agreement of 1974 and how if lose your job to another country you are eligible for 52 weeks unemployment and 2 years of school paid. Is there any truth to this? That would be so kick A$$ it would be totally worth losing my job to the Canucks. >>



I would make a call to the unemployment office to see about that.

Sorry to hear that you are out of a job, I've dogged 2 layoffs and a fab shutdown in 1 year time and see good people lose their jobs.

 

[HappyPuppy]

Oh, so you work for Gateway. Sorry to hear that you're one of those being canned.

As to your questions, I don't know, but I doubt it.

 

[loudog9999]

Oh, so you work for Gateway.

No, not Gateway, did not hear that they were losing jobs too, man that sux.....

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

I'm going through exactly the same thing you are, loudog9999. Since your job is being moved outside the US, you are eligible for NAFTA and the government now considers you a "dislocated worker" with which you'll be eligible for certain benefits. As SOON as you get laid off, go straight to the unemployment department for full information. I can only tell you what I've found out so far, and I know it isn't all of it.

Here's what you get from NAFTA benefits:
-Unemployment is regularly 26 week limit -NAFTA adds another 26 weeks on top of the first six months
-up to $6,000 to be used for "retraining" only. You must go back to school taking classes only relating to what you were doing at your work when you got laid off.
-(I don't know if the $6k has to be used within a certain amount of time or not)

One thing is that the company that lays you off because you don't move to Nova Scotia with the job has to sign a release verifying that your job has indeed gone international. That's what I'm waiting on my previous employer for. I think I'm going to start giving them heat if they don't get it done soon. I need to register for classes.

Anyway, getting laid off could be the best thing that's happened to you

nik

 

[loudog9999]

Thanks for the info?. Yeah at first I was pretty stressed out about it but after looking into this a little it seems like it may actually be for the best. I started here thinking that it would just be a temporary job anyway(two years ago) so if this motivates me to continue my education in any form than it?s a good thing. Also I will never have to set through another tech call, that alone is almost worth it.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Best of luck to you! BTW, how many hours a week did you work there?

nik

 

[loudog9999]

Forty hours a week plus 5-10 hours overtime on more weeks than not.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Two years at full time should get you plenty of money on unemployment (80% of your current wages over the past few years). So we'll see.

nik

 

[Viper GTS]

I wish someone would lay me off.

I could easily live off 80% of my current salary, let alone 80% of my peak quarter over the time I've been employed here.

Please, please, puhlease lay me off.

I don't even want NAFTA benefits, I just want out of this place.

Viper GTS

 

[StageLeft]

<< I wish someone would lay me off.

I could easily live off 80% of my current salary, let alone 80% of my peak quarter over the time I've been employed here.

Please, please, puhlease lay me off.

I don't even want NAFTA benefits, I just want out of this place.

Viper GTS >>

You guys get 80%?!

loudogg999 I'm from NS. I had to move to the US cause I couldn't get a job. Ironic isn't it?

 

[EagleKeeper]

80% is only up to a set limit.

Most states have a $200-$250 week cap.

Also, the un-employment money is taxable to the Feds even though the state does not grab taxes from it. You do have that option though to request withholding.

 

[loudog9999]

loudogg999 I'm from NS. I had to move to the US cause I couldn't get a job. Ironic isn't it?
Isn?t it?


I thought that if you are enrolled full time anywhere than you are not considered unemployed. If that is the case would I still be able to receive unemployment?

I really feel that something should be done like the NAFTA benefits because around 1000 total people have lost their jobs (more than one call center and city) and it is nice to know that we may have an option that will help us out. This community is a smaller one and having this company a part of it has really helped the area. It is going to be a shame to see it go.

 

[bozo1]

Yep, it's a percentage up to a certain cap. Having just gone through this, , here is how it works in my state:

They go back one calendar quarter and then look at the amount of money you made in the previous year. Say you were just laid off, they would go back to January 1st, 2002.
They take the amount you made January 1st 2001 through December 31 2001 and divide that by 104. That is your weekly benefit up to a $452 max. So, if you made $35K, your weekly benefit would be $333 before taxes. In Minnesota, that comes out to 50% of your previous income, much less if your income is above the cap. :disgust:

 

[Russ]

<< Most states have a $200-$250 week cap. >>



In the People's Republic of Washington, it's $496 a week and climbing.

Russ, NCNE

 

[freebee]

I'm gonna be a manager at Staples, and barely make more than those unemployment benefits.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Got more info for ya. After you file, you won't get your first unemployment check for 2.5 weeks (assuming you claimed the Sunday immediately after the week you're claiming unemployment insurance for).

If you're going for NAFTA, the company you got laid off from has to send paperwork to Washington D.C. for them to verify and accept as the case of "dislocated worker" or whatever. That takes anywhere from 90 days to six months. Sit back and relax, man, you ain't gonna see Nafta benny's (up to $6,000) for a while.

nik

 

[loudog9999]

Man, I better start stocking up on some Ramen Noodles, looks like Ill be starving for awhile. Oh Well, needed to lose some weight anyway?.. Thanks for the information.

 

[Pocatello]

Why would a company want to move to NS? Is the fishing that good up there?

 

[loudog9999]

I don?t know but I have three theories.

1. They don?t have many jobs up there so the workforce/space will be dirt cheap.
2. Canada is offering some sweet bonuses to bring jobs into the country.
3. The fishing is that good.

 

[Pocatello]

I hope you find another job.