Did Ya know some people on Unemployment have no choice when they return to work

[tinkerbell41]

I read all these posts about being lazy, not wanting to work etc..
But some of us do not operate in the cubicle world. Some of us don't operate in a world that includes being in an actual building at all.
You see right now there are about 1.6 million unemployed that literally have their hands tied about when they can return to work.
There is something called a BOOK SYSTEM, operating in the construction world. And to actually go back to work you have to wait for your number to come up. The wait where I come from is currently 2 yrs and counting. It's nearly impossible to walk away when all you know is physical labor.

[Subdivisions]

1. That's how it is in my trade. We have 200 people on the bench. In this economy

that 200th guy won't get a job until maybe 2012 - if he's lucky. The number 50 guy has already exhausted his UI and still has months to go before a job comes along.

[tinkerbell41]

10. We have no choice

So, what is number 50 supposed to do?? I don't have the answer either, I wish someone did.

[Subdivisions]

15. I hope #50 and all the rest are able to work off the books doing something, anything.

I hope they're finding other jobs. I hope their spouses are still employed.

Otherwise, I don't have an answer either, tinkerbell41. :cry:

[tinkerbell41]

17. Really the worst part is

If you take a job paying less than your regular wages and more than your UE benefits and leave that other job to go back to the trade, and get whacked again, that other employer can protest your benefits, and/or you would receive reduced benefits, based on the temporary job.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

2. All My Unemployed Blue Collar Friends Are Working Off The Books Or Not At All

~

[tinkerbell41]

7. I have done it for years

I am a survivor, where there's a will....
Waiting tables has always been my fallback, I WILL NOT work my trade non union.

[pnwmom]

3. tinkerbell41, do you know how that works

when you live in a state like New Jersey, where people on unemployment are required to come in every week with a list of where they've applied for work? I know someone who was denied unemployment benefits there because he couldn't think of anywhere else to apply for a job.

[guitar man]

4. I hear ya

I work in an office now but it wasn't always so. I worked for years as a maintenence mechanic and field tech on construction equipment. I got to know a lot of guys that worked construction and understand well what you all go through. You can't just "get up and go to work" when you want to.I hope it picks up soon, it's gotta be brutal out there right now :(

[tinkerbell41]

8. Thanks!

I almost went nutty from 2008-2010, but this time I am ready. With my time off, I prepared myself
financially. Mentally, I'm not so sure. I will be volunteering this time, along with many excursions to "free" things around the city.

[notadmblnd]

13. I'm cleaning houses right now

but I have an old pickup and I'm seriously considering junking for some supplemental, tax free cash.:shrug:

[tinkerbell41]

18. Good Idea!

I've been thinking about collecting abandoned rented carts at the airport, and returning them for the deposit money.

[WhiteTara]

14. this is your opportunity to delve deep within

and see what makes you really soulfully happy. Good luck with the time you have now. It won't come again.

[tinkerbell41]

21. I'm not being an asshole

But I just had 21 mos. I worked for 6 mos this year. This is my second time for a 2 year wait.
I found myself the first time. Thanks for the heartfelt soul lifting though :)

[WhiteTara]

32. so what would you like to do if

you can't do that?

I'm not being an asshole either, I'm still just being heartfelt. :)

[tinkerbell41]

33. I have thought about this

Really, working in some capacity for the forest preserves. Or wildlife rescue. Have no background in it, just an interest and an addiction to birding!

[WhiteTara]

34. I have always loved Joseph Campbell's advice

Follow your bliss and the money will follow. Good luck!

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

5. yep. But the cubicle world is going away too

many clerical jobs have been offshored to India and other countries.
I mean data entry, payment entry, wire transfer type work that banks do in their
back offices. Stuff with folks accounts.

Gone.

[tinkerbell41]

6. I have a few in my family

It sucks for everyone.

[guitar man]

9. We are getting automated out of work

I work in television and over the last 10 years I have watched our ranks shrink as more powerful and sophisticated computers and programs take over jobs that people used to do. You'd be surprised to know how much of the time when your watching a tv station these days , there is nobody there. A computer has control and is switching the programming automated and unattended.

[tinkerbell41]

11. That is just lovely.

Not the same thing, but I always have a live person check me out at the Union grocery store.
It's someone's livelihood.

[DeschutesRiver]

12. Can someone explain this to me? I don't understand what "booking"

means? This has to do with union jobs only? Thanks.

[tinkerbell41]

16. When Union Tradespeople receive a severance slip

In some Unions you go to your Hall and sign the out of work list. When a contractor calls for people when your number comes up you go back to work. If there are no calls you go nowhere. If you have 2000+ guys ahead of you and no construction going on, you will need UE benefits for a LONG time.

[DeschutesRiver]

20. Thanks. I hadn't focused on this aspect of UE. nt

[guitar man]

24. Or you could go "tramp" to another local

And sign the book, but now things are so tough all over it's probably not worth the trip anymore :(

[tinkerbell41]

25. Yes, correct both aspects

[guitar man]

29. My grandfather and great uncle were both union painters

Back when it took a ton of skill to do slick housepainting work. I can still remember them saying, " nothing here now, but I can tramp up to (insert name of town) and work"

:)

[eilen]

36. That's what my husband did.

He caught a call at a TVA facility in TN on Book 2. It is longer term than any we have had at home in the past 5 years. This is the first year he has a job in December and the same job after New Years in a very very long time. It is still tough, maintaining 2 households.

[Brickbat]

19. Thanks for posting this. DU needs more voices from the trades and the unions.

Mr. Brickbat was a union carpenter for many years and we've been through this system, good times and bad. The other side of it is that when your number comes up you only get one or two chances to accept the job, even if it means a huge commute or work you don't necessarily like or are strong at.


He left construction a few years ago and is now a locomotive engineer.

[tinkerbell41]

22. Thank you!

For understanding. You are correct, when my number comes up I HAVE to take a call, no matter what it calls for. Being a JW means knowing it all.

[Brickbat]

26. And knowing it all doesn't always mean knowing it all well! ;)

There's the call you get for finish work at the new office development three miles from you, and the call you get for cement forms 50 miles away. Gah.

We were always grateful for the work, though, and Mr. Brickbat worked as an agent for awhile too. Our religion is union. We're a union family through and through.

[tinkerbell41]

27. Yes

Kinda like why Doctors call it their "practice" ;)

[Brickbat]

28. Heh.

:toast:

[TroglodyteScholar]

23. Down with the abuse of the word "literally!"

I know your post is of a serious nature, but I think we can all agree that very few of the unemployed literally have their hands tied.

This has been a public service announcement of Language Matters Private Grammar Police Force.

[tinkerbell41]

30. I don't think 1.6 million

is considered very few. Would you rather have me use the word fucked?? Cause we are fucked. Fucked that if we take another fucking job, we lose our health insurance, pension, etc. Fucked when our UE benefits finally do end, we will have to walk away. Losing 1.6 million members is a huge deal.

[TroglodyteScholar]

37. You miss my point.

My point wasn't about the issue you're discussing. It was about proper use of our language. Whether you say their hands are tied or they are fucked, you are saying it figuratively. Not literally.

[Fla_Democrat]

31. 1-1 on 1-1, solidarity brothers

:evilgrin:





:smoke:

[PVnRT]

35. I was unaware of that

I have a feeling a large number of Americans are unaware of that, too.