I have “googled” organization efforts in a number of occupations and it is suprising in a delightful way to see traditionally “professional” occupations included in union locals specifically for them. For example, certain public sector attorneys are unionized. In fact, certain “administrative law judges” in Illinois, perhaps elsewhere, are also union members.

You might want to contact a union like SEIU or a national teachers union (AFT or NEA for example) to do what might be thought of as informational interviewing/research on how organizing is done. Unions generally want to educate people on labor history or organizing.

I think all of us are now rank and file workers, whether salaried, hourly, white, blue or no collar. I would love to see labor history as part of the curriculum in all public schools in the United States. Those who have yet to learn it should educate themselves immediately.

I’d like to see more solutions to the problems or obstacles of corporate life. When I was “downsized” at my last job about 4 months ago, a lot of people mouthed “Union”. No one was in a powerful position to make the union happen. How do you start a union that has a reasonable chance of success? It seems much harder on the surface than an entrepeneurial business. Rank and file employees know they are going to get fired so they fear taking decisive action in their best interests. How does the average Jane or Joe fight back and win some measure of dignity without sacrificing a family income?

How does the mission of UP offer concrete real-world solution?

For anyone thinking about Chapter 7, it is wise to consult your attorney about opening a new bank account.

FDIC and NCUSIF essentially do the same thing - they’re just different organizations. One is for banks and the other is for Credit Unions. See http://www.ncua.gov/ShareInsurance/index.htm for more details.

If you review the above URL, note that the terminology is a little different from what you are used to. Savings accounts are referred to as “Shares” or “Share Accounts.”

Yes, Credit Unions are a good alternative IF you qualify for membership. They’re no open to the general public. Deposits are insured by not to the level they are in a bank.

See the following regarding credit union insurance.

http://www.ncua.gov/

Have you tried Dice.com? They’re like monster.com only they specialize in Techies.

ShavenYak-I actually wrote a long tireade concerning Banks vs. Credit Unions, that I want to post on the UP Blog, but I am having technical difficulties.

Um…this is actually embarassing, being an IT guy…How do I start a new thread? When I click “blog,” I am shown other people’s threads that I can reply to, but cannot start a thread of my own (like I said, the Credit Union bit is a long one, and probably deserves its own thread). There has to be a link or button that I am missing, somewhere on the screen. I have dropped an inquiry to the webmaster, but do not have access to my E-mail at this very moment.

Eric, with the CU I currently belong to, the minimum to keep an account is $25.00. Oh yeah, no fees.

When the fees at a bank exceed the interest that they are paying you, then banking is an investment that pays negative interest. EVERYBODY MEMORIZE THAT PHRASE. The next time a bank tries a hard sell on you to sign up for an account, tell them that their account is an investment that earns negative interest, and that it impacts your bottom line unfavorably. They just HATE it when you beat them over the head with their own verbage.

We joked that the “T” stood for Turbo, as in fast track to management. The “T” really stood for technology, the BSEET being a two year technician degree.

When bad times came, the BSEE people made lateral moves to equivalent positions in other companies. The BSEET people were left to manage the sinking ship. As in your case, Eric, a lateral move was not forthcoming for them. Upper management seems to have hardwired “loyalty” into middle management by promoting over degree level, if not skill level.

Sorry to hear of your experience. It is probably more common than anyone would guess.

As for the highway robbery thieving banks, you are better off using a credit union. Not so great hours and access, but at least they won’t keep charging you coming and going for every little thing.

Hope you managed to enjoy the holidays.