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Due to plant closures in Canada, layoffs have become a tragic everyday occurrence. Workers are losing their jobs at an alarming rate. If you have been laid off and become one of these statistics, the following page will offer you some basic information and links to services that will offer you guidance and assistance in this challenging time.

Being laid off can be a very difficult experience for a worker. When the economy is losing thousand of jobs the experience more traumatic. Fortunately there are many agencies and services available to help you through this difficult time. You can apply for financial assistance and retraining through Employment Insurance. Career planning and family counselling is also available to you. We have included a few links and phone number to get you started.

If a labour adjustment committee / Action Centre has been opened to help you, this is the first place you should go. CAW Local 199 members can visit the Local 199 Action Centre

CAW 199 Action Centre
124 Bunting Road
St.Catharines
L2P 3G5
PHONE 905-687-6776 Fax 905-687-9797

Contact Information

Nancy Little - Coordinator
Ron Kreulen Lead Peer Helper

E Mail: CAW 199 Action Centre Office: 905-687-6776

A Love Story

"Everyone loves a success story. I know I do. Let me tell you about mine. My name is Wanda. After losing my job over a year ago, I knew I had to make a career decision. With a great passion in helping people, I started thinking of what kind of work I would like to do. I needed to make a decision, so I visited a Counsellor at BEC. She helped me to find my passion and needs.

Several months later I was sitting at a desk at the Academy of Learning , I was well on my way to becoming a Medical Office Administrator.

I loved every day of my training. I met lots of people doing the same as me, taking on a Second Career.

I wouldn't have changed a thing. I truly believe things happen for a reason. Give it a try, you'll love it. I know I did."

Wanda

The first thing you need to know is when you will be laid off, will you receive any severance or holiday pay and when will be your last day at work.

If you need information about provincial Labour Laws Visit Ontario Employment Standards Act

You need to apply for Employment Insurance which must be done on line at the following link. You will need your Social Insurance Number and the last day worked.

To do an New E.I. application on line click on the link E.I. OnLine

You must report to EI every two weeks. This can also be done on line at the following link. You will need your Social Insurance Number and the 4 digit PIN number that you will receive from the government, about one week after you applied for your EI.

To do your E.I. report on Line EI Report.

If you need assistance with your employment insurance you can call the HRSC at 1-800-206-7218

When you get laid off, your income will change and it is important that you make adjustments in your families expenditures. This is a family matter and it is a good idea to sit down with your spouse and children and talk about your future. Make a list of all you fixed expenses, rent, mortgage, hydro, gas phone, insurance, car payments, taxes etc. Then list your variable costs such as food, cable, entertainment, sports, gas etc.

Once you know what your expenses are, compare that to your new family income based on your employment insurance. If you don't have enough to cover your expenses, you need to go back and look at the expenses you can reduce. Changing your family meals using cheaper alternatives is an example. Be a prudent shopper, look for specials, use coupons, try to buy in bulk and shop for the week. Another quick way to decrease your expenses is reducing the number of TV channels you have, how much would basic cable save you? Get a cheaper internet services or cell phone. Make a list of all the items you can do without.

The biggest mistake, is using credit to cover your living expenses, this will only delay the inevitable and make things worse. You can download a simple budget form at the following link.

For more information about debt consolidation or making a budget visit Consolidated Credit

Once you have applied for Employment Insurance you should contact Career Planning Services. They can provide you with information about retraining, counselling and resume writing. Call and make an appointment to find out what your options are. It will take about 10 days to get an appointment so don't delay contacting them.

Visit Career Planning Services for help with training, counselling and career options

If you want to call Career Planning Services in Niagara the local number is 905-684-7200

With the economy in decline finding a new job is a challenging task but not an impossible one. A good place to start is with the Job Bank. This website is run by the government, you can search for job openings in your area, by type of job, new postings over the last 24 hours and you can also search for jobs in different geographic area such as; City, Province or Canada wide it is a very good way to determine what type of jobs are out there and to determine if you can find a job with your current skills.

Visit Service Canada Job BankTo search for jobs in Canada.

If you need training there are a variety of options available to you. Career Planning services can help you with this. You might be eligible for financial assistance which can include travel and day care expenses. There are countless training providers' courses they offer programs that are diversified in the skills they provide, which range in duration and cost.

Training and Education. Ministry of Colleges and Universities

Visit Career Planning Services for help with training, counselling and career options

Labour Adjustment Committees are a joint response from the Union, Company, and government to these closures, which result in permanent layoffs.The primary objective of a labour adjustment committee is to assist workers who have or are expected to lose their jobs. The services that are offered by Labour Adjustment Committees are determined by the committee and may include:

• Skills training.
• Applications of EI.
• Funding for education and training.
• Job Search.
• Counselling regarding Family /Finance/Stress.
• Workshops to help improve interview skills, resume writing, computer skills, etc.
• Retirement Planning.

The parties involved agree to negotiate an adjustment contract which includes the length of time the services will be available, funding for administration and expenses, and the members of the committee.

The committee members are drawn from the Union, Company, Government and the workers. The committee also has a chairperson to assist and direct the committee.

The committees normally open an office to provide these services and utilize the displaced workers (Peer Helper) to staff the centre. The use of Peer helpers helps differentiate the adjustment committee from the other agencies that offer similar services. Workers who are losing their job have a innate ability to help each other and have a positive influence on each other.

Over the past 5 years, CAW members at Local 199 have assisted labour adjustment committees at General Motors, Green Forest, Chrysler, Hayes-Dana, Gallagher Paper, John Deere and Bazaar & Novelty.

From the union's perspective, adjustment isn't a final answer, it's a temporary reaction. The only answer to job losses is a new type of economy, an economy that protects our resources our market and jobs, with managed trade. Until then we will continue to offer assistance to laid off workers.

If you would like more information about adjustment services, you can call CAW Local 199 @ 905-682-2611, or contact Laurell Ritchie, National Union 1-800-268-5763.

www.adjustment.ca

http://www.SkilledTradesAssociation.com

Download 4 Labour Adjustment Manuals

Ministry of Colleges and Universities

Ontario Employment Standards Act

E.I. Application On Line

EI Report on line.

Career Planning Services

Second Career Ontario

Self Employment

Labour Market Information