Shirley

Shirley, 57, and her husband, Ronnie, both lost their jobs to outsourcing. Their severance package has expired, and they are using their 401(k) to survive. Shirley suffers from carpal tunnel syndrome but is retraining as an administrative assistant.

My Story
My husband and I planned on retiring from the Levi-Strauss factory. Instead, we’re both going back to school to compete for jobs with the younger generation. I am overwhelmed by the prospects of finding a new job when I finish retraining.

Our unemployment has run out, so we’ve had to dip into our 401(k) to survive. I’m finishing my classes this spring, so I’m hoping things get better soon. I’m just praying that my carpal tunnel doesn’t limit my job prospects.

My husband had the opportunity to start his own business, but we couldn’t find any source of start-up capital. This town really needs some rejuvenation. A lot of smaller businesses have closed since the Levi plant left town. Forty percent of the plant’s workers lived in Powell. We are a good community with good schools, but things are going downhill.

There are no jobs, contrary to what the president says, none that you can make a living wage on. I’m only 57; I have until I’m 65, and I need to keep working until then.

I don’t really blame companies for going overseas, because they’re in the business of making money. But Bush shouldn’t make it so easy for them. Quit making it so easy. Quit giving companies benefits for going.