I've been Eliminated!

I know, the subject title is a little vague.  What I'm refering to is my job. Thursday, September 4th I was taken to the human resource office and told that my job position had been eleminated.

I live and work in Mid-Michigan.  I'm an industrial electrician.  The company I worked for during the past 22 1/2 years is really struggling due to GM's slowdown.  They are a major supplier of transmission and clutch parts to GM and Borg Warner.  The bad thing about that is most of the parts go into gas guzzlers so they are being hit with a double whammy.

I know I'm not alone, especially here in Michigan.  Michigan has the highest unemployment rate in the nation.  So, next week I'll be entering the job market for the first time in 22 years in a state where it's hard to find work in manufacturing.

I will have medical insurance for the next 60 days.  I'm lucky that most of my medical bills from my RNY have been paid.

Anyway, I wanted to share my experience with you all.

Feeling very bad for you.  Friday's unemployment statistics show that you are not alone, but being a statistic doesn't make anyone feel better.  I don't know what the alternatives are for you, but I hope you'll take a few days to recover and then be creatice and come up with something.  My heart really goes out to you.

There's a boom going in oil field states. New production coming on line and it all has to be wired up to the grid. If you don't mind relocating, you could probably find work in places like west Texas, southeast New Mexico, parts of Colorado and Wyoming. My daughter's best friend's daddy is a plumber who got tired of starving in Detroit about 5 years ago and moved out here. He stay's pretty busy.

What a horable spot to be in. I am so very sorry that you have to go through that. Thats why as much as I HATE my current job,, glad I have it and glad its stable.. But, NON of us are completely safe from what happened to you these days. Now it really doesnt matter how hard you work, how much loyalty you demonstrait to the company if your time is up well they just dont waist anytime.

The only thing I can say is that NOW you're a free agent. You dont have to stay in Mi if you dont want to.. If the job market is so bad there or if you've ever thought of living somewhere else NOW would be the time to do it if you can.... But, very city right now is having problems with employment..

Good LUCK to ya.

I feel sorry for you and I suppose that you are probably torn about moving because you probably own your own home and would not get the full value for it if you had to sell it in the depressed real estate market.  Most people who lose their jobs really don't want to relocate.  It's possible that you may have a spouse with a good job in your locale.  Also, most of us don't want to leave our family and friends.

I know that my wife will be losing her job on 12-31-08 but she'll have a liberal severance package plus full medical for a year.  She's actually looking forward to it in the hope that she'll be able to get a similar job much closer to home.  Yes, there is fairly high unemployment in this area now, but most of it is in pharmaceuticals and banking while she's in the ins industry.

During the summer, Jevic, a trucking company near us, filed for bankruptcy and laid off all 1,700 of their employees with no prior notice.  That really stunk.

Good luck looking for a new position.  Go to job fairs in your area.  It's possible that your union may be a source of available jobs even if they are not nearby.

I feel for you, it's tough and the pressure can be enormous don't let it over whelm you. During times of stress old bad habits like to show back up, remember we are all here to support you. C'ya Bob

Man that sucks.

You know our support id here for you. Also take advantage of any programs the company might offer like outplacement assistance , further training. Don't hesitate to go back and ask to see what is available also.
BTW going to school will help extend unemployment benefits.

But definitely go back to your employer about see if there is outplacement or training or all that is available.

Sorry to hear it, Drummer ..   (hmmmm  can you make a living doing drumming now?)  

  Being a Michigan electrician, are you a member of a union there?   Can you get union benefits to help out and resources from them in locating a new job, in the meantime?

   btw, I don't know how mobile you are, but San Antonio is really booming right now ..  jobs all over the place.  Toyota just opened a new mini-truck factory there and I've heard it is really rocking.  A couple I know from the Internet recently got relocated there from the Toyota factory in Portland, OR and they love it down there ..  Toyota helped them sell their house in OR and find a new one in TX ..  I think he is one of the admin dudes that makes sure the raw materials get to the plant or some such .

Hey there,

Thanks for your support and comments.  The company I worked for is non-union.  Other than receiving the vacation pay I'm owed and 60 days of insurance the company offers nothing.  No education, etc...

They used to go by senority and I used to have bumping rights.  They took that away a couple years ago.  Right now I have more senority than the night shift electrician, both plant senority and departmental senority.  In addition I have much more experience and knowledge as he was just put in the electrical position 2 months ago, and not by his choice.  I guess they feel anyone can troubleshoot machine electrical problems, work on robots and automation, program PLC's, and work on computers (quite a few machines have PC controls).  My termination letter says I have no bumping rights.

I heard through the grapevine today that they have a couple of employee lists, those who they let bump and those they just boot out the door.  If that's true they are being very un-ethical.  I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

Yes, my wife and I have a mortgage.  We built our home on one acre right in back of my ex-employer.  She works there as well as a Quality Manager.  We walk to work everyday.  It's really a gas saver.  We also only have one vehicle (2004 Dodge Ram Quad Cab w/Hemi), so I'm looking at having to buy a fuel efficient car as I expect I will drive 20-30 or more miles to work once I find a job.

Anyway, sorry this post has been so long.  Again, thanks for your support.  I know there are many families in this great nation who are struggling so I count my blessings each day.

Drummer Dude,

I can relate you right now.  I was one of 40 people on June 11th that got laid off due to down sizing.  Thank god i had my surgery before the end of June when the cobra went into place.  I am still looking for work at this time and its hard..
I have made the choice to go back to trade school full time as of Sep. 15th to get trained for a new job.  If i can be of any help let me know bud.

Scott