I Have A Hearing Scheduled

Posted on June 29th, 2008 by editor

I have a hearing scheduled with the state unemployment review commission. I think I’m going to try and do this on my own without an attorney. I talked to an attorney that is provided as free legal benefits but he said he cannot represent me against the company because it is against the plan rules. I think the union ought to retain attorneys to represent members in cases like this. The local union leadership means well and try to help me but they are not lawyers and can’t really help much.

I’ve requested the case file to review but I really don’t know how to prepare for something like this, but I’ll figure something out. I’m allowed to subpoena 3 witnesses and I know for one I’m going to subpoena the area manager who got his finger cut when he was screwing around with a machine that he shouldn’t have been working on and had to be sent out to get sutures. This guy didn’t get any time off even though the union has a grievance against him for doing unauthorized work.

I’ll have to figure out who my other 2 witnesses will be.

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How I’m Getting Screwed By My Employer

Posted on January 22nd, 2008 by editor

I work for an auto manufacturer, have been employed by them since 1985 and have always felt a sense of pride and loyalty towards my employer.

But something happened this year to change that, early this year, let’s say in January, I was injured on the job. It wasn’t a serious injury but enough that I wanted to seek medical attention. If I had only decided to seek treatment somewhere besides the plant medical department it would have saved me a lot of trouble and money.

It turns out that some prick working in the front office wanted to save the company some money and decided to lay me off for 30 days due to what he termed as “a violation of plant safety rules”.

This is a crock of shit and he knows it. The problem I have is fighting the company without a lawyer. If I retain a lawyer I may end up paying as much in attorney fees as I stand to gain. If I don’t win I can’t afford the additional loss. So the company’s got me over a barrel and they know it but I’m not going to just lay down and take it. I’m choosing to fight them as best I can without an attorney. First I’m going to challenge the State Unemployment Services that I’m due benefits for my time off of work due to the fact that I was able and available for work and laying someone off due to an injury is not legal.

Wish me luck, it’s not easy fighting a big company like Chrysler.

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