No offense, and while I sympathize with those losing jobs and hanging onto jobs for deal life, but this is business. What skills did those workers making $21,000 to $25,000 a year plus benefits have that made them so much more valuable than the workers available for a fraction of that in various parts of the world?
While that amount would be barely scraping by for a couple, much less a family, the task they are performing isn't worth that kind of money in the international job market. That's why the production shifts overseas.
The days of expecting a paternalistic employer to look after you for life are history. Make yourself valuable to the company you work for, and to the market as a whole. Make it so your position is essential to the functioning of the organization. Tout what you do, and make sure people are aware of it. Make the job want you as much as you want the job.
What's stopping my job from being eliminated? Nothing if the powers really want to do it. However, they have seen the position adds real value to the operation and that our knowledge is an asset they are not willing to throw away at this time. One member is being allowed to telecommute after the office space closes because they want him around.
There are many skilled professions begging for employees, and with training, can produce good income.
