So last week I got a notification of a hearing from the Department of Labor. Apparently the post office is appealing the unemployment benefits.

Yes, apparently the employer can appeal the unemployment benefits. And if the DOL finds for them, not only do the benefits get cut off but I have to pay back everything I've already gotten. No, I can't pay it back since I've been living on it. Mom can't help me anymore.

So two of the three reasons should be easy enough to deal with -- I have no control or even influence over when the post office turned in the paperwork to the DOL. I have no idea why my benefits would be cut off for something I didn't do, but it's listed on the hearing notice. Also, I didn't accept a lay-off for lack of work nor did I quit, I was fired. I have a notice of removal to prove that. I didn't quit, I was fired. The third reason will take some doing, but I've got it covered. The exact wording is "discharge or suspension of the claimant was for failure to follow orders, rules or instruction or failure to perform the duties for which employed." I was fired for failing to qualify for the position of SSDA, not for failure to follow orders, rules or instructions or failure to perform the duties for which employed. I plan to explain how on my shift there was no way I could have done the 30 hrs. required Distribution for the job to be considered SSDA, and therefore I shouldn't have been required to learn the scheme. That basically I was fired for something that shouldn't even have been part of the job. Also planning to mention the grievances, and how the PM and the supervisor have had past grievances filed against them for harassment. And that I've got grievances pending for violations of the contract in several instances.

I wanted to get a lawyer to deal with all this but after talking to the state union steward she called one of the union lawyers and they said that it's frowned upon to call a lawyer for these things. That the DOL wants to hear from the claimant personally. Personally, I think if whether or not you're going to be rendered not only jobless but homeless is the kind of case where you should ALWAYS have a lawyer present your case, especially if you're nervous and having to confront a couple of psychos intent on destroying you.

They already fired me. I think appealing me getting unemployment pretty much clinches the "harrassment" issue.


I guess I've just got to have faith.