Comments on: U.S. Jobless Rate Now 9.7%, but Millions Fear Losing Unemployment Insurance

By: CJW

CJW — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 16:21:51 +0000

They said there was nothing I could……but be hopeful that congress passes the bill that has an unemployment benefits extension which they said is likely…..love waiting to the last minute to see if I will have money to pay rent or have food to eat!!!!!

By: andrewb

andrewb — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 21:02:13 +0000

While Congress extending unemployment deadlines is a good thing, that alone will not solve any problems for the long-term unemployed. Congress can say “we’ll extend the deadlines until December”, yet someone who can move onto Tier 4 benefits, with only 6 weeks, will end up falling through the cracks even though the deadline is extended. The current EUC tier system needs to be revised as well. For example, my suggestion would be to increase benefit weeks to Tier 3 (13 weeks) and Tier 4 (6 weeks). Make each of these tiers 20 weeks of benefits. That would provide an additional 21 weeks total of benefits, or 5 months worth. Adding a 5th tier could also be an option as well, but extending deadlines doesn’t really help the long-term unemployed folks.

By: antisocialbutterfly

antisocialbutterfly — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 05:47:32 +0000

Progress for Labor: somebody already has.

If you Google the term ‘unemployed’, the first hit is this:

http://www.unemployedworkers.org

By: ATTNEY

ATTNEY — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 05:16:06 +0000

9.7 percent are the ones collecting unemployment. how about the other 10 percent that have run out of benefits=almost 20 percent. obama lies

By: kddidit

kddidit — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:09:18 +0000

Organizing the unemployed is a great idea, PFL. “Workers are workers whether they are working or not.” Completely agree with ya.

By: Steve Neubeck

Steve Neubeck — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:21:36 +0000

are there any stats on unemployment for people with disabilities? years ago one could go to heavy industry and get employment,now many of us are better collecting benefits due to lowwage,and unskilled jobs

By: Progress for Labor

Progress for Labor — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:50:18 +0000

Indeed. However, if we would organize the un-employed, we would have a community of workers who need to make a living. Workers are workers whether they are working or not. We are abandaning them. Even a web site for us would help. Something!

I believe I have found a way to get in touch with all sixteen million. I did it once years ago, on a smaller scale, but the principle is the same. Seems it’s not good strategy to just wait until workers are re-organized and start paying dues again.

By: k2kelly

k2kelly — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:44:00 +0000

Go to your local UI office and get an official detemination,in other words file for the extension,get the determination and if it is not in your favor,file an appeal so a judge can explain the states case.I think everything will come out to your benefit,but you have to stay on them.
There plan is to discourage you from taking any further steps by using misinformation deliberately
Tell us how you make out

By: CJW

CJW — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:45:38 +0000

I have been unemployed in Texas since October of 2009 and just confirmed with the TWC that I cannot receive the Federal Unemployment funds because my Texas funds will have $30 remaining in the balance on the Feb. 21st……this seems like a bad joke. Because of the $30 remaining I will not receive ANY of the federally funded unemployment. which would at least given me another 20 weeks. Hope republicans get their hands out of their pants and vote YES for the extension or I have lost all faith in this country.