Your union needs to know your work status before it can do anything to help. Companies are often slow to notify the union of employment conditions and changes.
2) Make sure your address
and phone number is current
Check with your local and
with the employer to make sure your address and telephone number is up-to-date.
Your future employment opportunities and/or benefits may depend upon the
employer and union being able to reach you.
3) Stay in contact with
the union
During your layoff, you
will be confronted by rumors and gossip. You need to stay informed. The
best place for official information is the regular union meeting. Get its
time and location and plan to attend. You can also get information from
your local via the internet. Check here
to see if your local lodge or district has a website. Visit the IAM
website for more information.
4) Check on unemployment
benefits
Visit this website for a
state-by-state list of U.S. "One Stop" offices that assist the unemployed:
http://www.servicelocator.org
Visit this website a province-by-province
list of Canadian Human Resource Centers that assist the unemployed. (Using
the map, click on a specific province or, using the Search function, key
in a city, town or postal code):
http://www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/menu/profile-search.shtml#100
4) Your IAM benefits
The IAM sponsors two important
worker-oriented departments: IAM CARES and IAM Community Services. They
will be working closely with local lodge and district leaders to help you
and your family during this difficult emotional and economic period. Please
contact your local to see if they also have a Community Services Committee.
5) Watch out for
Con Artists
Con artists and hustlers come out of the woodwork whenever disaster
strikes. You should expect (and ignore) ads promising to "make your credit
problems disappear" or to let you "earn $40,000 a year working from the
comfort of your home." Your local should be able to refer you to reliable
local counselors or Consumer Credit Bureaus.
6) Stay Active; Stay Positive
You can and will land a new job. You landed your old job, right? And
very likely, you did so without the guidance and professional support you
have available today. " It's important to start your job search as soon
after layoff as possible - before all the bills and pressure piles up and
before your spirits start to flag," one counselor explained. "Keep your
routine together," another advisor said. "Get up at the same time you used
to get up. Eat at the same times. If you are used to physical work, get
some exercise every day. You've got to stay active and positive, and keep
control over your life."
