Micron Technology: Leveraged Buyout Announcement Seems Imminent

My bad, I guess we haven't yet gotten mired in the crap yet as we are only (still considering) starting this process.

After reading these posts and talking with a friends, it is becoming clear that there are a LOT of discrepancies and inconsistencies in the information being shared and the "help" offered in the application process. It only seems to be made worse with the vague and unclear approval/denial process you encountered. Did they give you any reasons or just say NO?

So, does anyone have any recommendations on how to navigate these infested waters?

Know that even if you sign a form saying you reserve your right to further education in the future, there is a second form/date that can come around and eliminate your chance to get unemployment extended past your full 2 years unemployment (if you have to start unemployment before you start school, for example) I was unaware of it, and then they denied my second year because "I can't support myself" the last semester. It's a lot of little things like that. Lots of confusing little dates/details. Make a chart with dates and Labor Dept rules/cutoffs/requirements. Find out everything possible you yourself can do to apply, whether or not your caseworker suggests it. It may seem like overkill, but will help you keep it straight. Another for instance: I've heard from fellow classmates (note my case worker has yet to tell me, that under the TAA act, I won't be receiving unemployment bennies during the summer if I'm not going to school. That is of course if I get that second year. To help with your education app, get in touch with your school program head, and get their support via lots of info about your chosen field. They can be your "expert" resource if needed. Get the Labor Department brochures, go thru them line by line to get as much info as possible. There are a few good caseworkers, but too many are inept/overwhelmed/unhelpful. DOCUMENT all conversations and communications for backup if needed. I was also denied with a second reason that I was already educated, and therefor "employable". Yes, that's why I am unemployed, because I am so 'employable'. You may have to prove why your skills are perhaps outdated or unneeded in the current labor market. I've heard that the current TAA/TRA act has been expanded further than the one I am under, and I think you can do better with it. Use Federal Labor Dept info as well as Idaho's. Keep us posted. What education are you considering? This can be a good thing, but aggravating to work thru. Best of luck to you. I am sure you will do well; just keep that positive outlook. ;-)

I am in school with a ex Micron worker who got the run around form his case worker for over a year, filling out forms getting information and doing everything his case worker asked him to do. When he finally got all the information that was asked by his case worker, he submitted his application for school and was denied. He was told he could appeal but only had a week to get his process down and was denied, his case worker said there was nothing more he could do and that was that. The micron worker went to his case workers supervisor and was told to come in for a meeting with him and his case worker, (I was in filling out my papers when this occurred and saw firsthand how they were trying to bully him into taking a certificate school) the micron guy stood up called them a few choice words and left. The case worker and his supervisor started laughing and joking about it, 7 months later I meet him in class and had to ask him what happened. He told me that he was moving out of state when another ex-micron worker told him to go over the supervisor head and show the manager all the e-mails and letters and also told him how he was treated. Needless to say he is now in school but has a very bitter attitude toward the Idaho Labor department.

I never had any of these problems and I have had two different case workers.

All I had to do was show them that the job I needed training for would get my pay to what I was making at Micon or higher, by presenting them job advertisements from various jobs.

Then I had to show that I could finish school in 104 weeks by talking with my accademic advisor at BSU.

Then I had to give them a budget proving I could afford to do this for the 104 weeks of training.

It was a lot of paperwork and I did not get any help, but the paperwork was self explanatory, even though it was 96 pages. I asked for the TAA / TRA instruction package.

I applied with the proof of getting a better job, budget and time requirements. They approved it with no problems. I helped a buddy of mine because he is not good a figuring instructions out and his was approved as well. I personally know 13 people that all were approved first time.

I know 4 people that were denied because they did not follow the instructions or were trying to get training for things that would not give them a better career.

I think if you choose a career that will earn you more money and is available now, they will approve it quickly.

"I think if you choose a career that will earn you more money and is available now, they will approve it quickly."

Thanks, I guess we are SOL. Unfortunately tor those like my husband who made good money by being intelligent and working hard his whole life, but don't have a degree or college class credits earned, there is no way there is a career he can train for in 2 years that will earn him close to what he was making.

Feels like getting punished for 25+ years of hard work.

Gone too - not to change the subject - are you now employed in Boise?

I'm trying to forget. I am now 550 miles from ground zero of the Micron campus, so my fantasies about using a Barrett .50 sniper rifle on the entire Micron board and executives is no longer a something I might actually snap and do. 14 months out of work, then taking a job over 500 miles away for 13 months while waiting for our house to sell in a market Micron helped kill with dumping loyal American workers for cheaper overseas labor.

Although I think i can come to grips with the betrayal by Micron, I don't think I could ever sit by a micron executive in a conference or on a plane. I would probably get arrested after trying to choke him with a length of twisted pair cables, then hammer several DDR3 DIMM strips into his brain through every available opening.

Things will fade, execs with no sense will still say "that's business" and fail to realize that to use 6-7,000 loyal employees, it became pretty Goddamn personal. If I could take back my handshake to Stevie after the Baja race, telling how impressed I was, I would - along with his right arm,

Yo Idaho - Right To Work is idiotic, your lower hoursly people should have a union, so Steve can't laugh in your face when you say you need a daycare center, A union that can collectively negotiate for everyone, instead of being a caddy for a section lead in order to get promoted.

If you're still there, don't feel smug - you'll soon be out on your asses or working in Singapore or Virginia where million $$$ houses are common. Lehi will die along with Boise. In 5 years Micron's world HQ will be in Singapore to duck out on even more taxes through creative accounting.

Micron is like Jason Voorhees - will you just f*cking DIE already and stop ruining lives.

So long Flying Pie, so long Cottonwood Grille, so long Delsa's Ice Cream, so long permanently continuous I-84 repairs, so long Rockies.

I'm gone.

Good riddance

Hey GOI - you must be the one that responded to the Channel 2 homeless piece with the comment "you should go work in the fields".

NF is angry - understandably so - and obviously is sounding off as a result, but also is obviously rational enough to realize that leaving Idaho was the only solution for self preservation.

Kind of says what kind of people Idaho harbors within its borders - sad that people like you supporting the lottery of unrestrained capitalism which you hold so dear which creates this disaster - and will ultimately take you to your just reward as well - sad that one of the most beautiful States in this country harbors cold hearted bastards like you.

But like I said - your just reward awaits - reconcile that with your religion.

What's sad is that the backwoods jerks like you aren't the ones leaving - but then again - it isn't the meek or average that inherit this magnificent country of ours - sadly its the boorish, uneducated, unrestrained, wealthy thugs that win - supported by the likes of you.

But be careful - those kind-hearted souls that have been cast aside are growing in number, and as all such incidents have born in history - the reconciliation by which these types of inhumanities have exacted corrections are sweeping, swift and often with horrific consequences.

A quick study of French and Russian histories offer devastating examples of this.

I hate the logic that some use on this forum. It is Microns fault that they did not save and have a 1 year emergency fund. It is Micron's fault that they did not continue their education so that they would be useful members of society. It is Micron's fault that the economy went in the crapper and they had their head buried in the sands and did not see it coming.

It amazes me how many people are so easily fooled into thinking someone else should take care of their needs. Hence we have Obama to the rescue. He is going to give them money, a home, health care and take it all from the evil people that saved and prepared themselves.

I left Micron, followed the TAA rules and finished my education (yes this was a hand out of which I am not proud), had a 2 year emergency fund, I have no debt (followed Dave Ramseys plan since 19988 http://www.mytotalmoneymakeover.com ) and have my home paid for. I did all of this while making %45,000 as a technician at Micron.

You want us to feel bad for you because you were irresponsible bought a home, car, and toys on credit? You want us to feel bad for you because you worked 20 years at a good company and were too stupid to save for an emergecy?

By the way, thanks to Micron, I have a four year degree in GIS and work in Boise making over $90,000. I used my money to invest in education and pay off my debt. I sold many things back in 1998. Me and my kids slept on matresses on the floor, becuase I did not want to go into debt. I put maximum into my 401k and still do, because I believe in saving for the future. I ate beans, noodles and other inexpensive items until I got out of debt.

In another words, "I lived like no one else lived, so that today I can live like no one else."

Today, I live like no one else. Through hard work and not blaming my employers. I know earn a great salary, live in a $400,000 home, have 3 cars that are newer than 2008, have a travel trailer, 4 quads, two snowmobiles and NO DEBT.

When you are not giving your money away to banks and credit card companies in the form of interest, it is amazing how much you can pay cash for.

I'll get off my soap box, the point I am trying to make is "YOU CAN DO IT, YOU DON'T NEED A COMPANY TO DETERMINE YOUR FUTURE!"

Booya,
Well said.
Gone Too: I admire your work ethic, dedication and am glad you made it. However, as has been discussed endlessly, not everyone is born to handle college, and your brains were a gift, not something you "earned" thru sleeping on the floor. That's a 'titch' arrogant of you. I do wish more people were more fiscally conservative. Too many people have bought into the 'endlessly bigger and better' scenerio. Maybe some will read what you have written and take it to heart. Having said that, what has continually set this country apart is a healthy middle class, and that means people being able to make it as blue collar and middle class. When we lose that we are sliding down to the structures of 3rd world countries. Also, some of us didn't get to have our alloted 2 years of training; I couldn't even get my unemployment case manager to accept my 3 examples of wage earnings/job apps for my chosen path, let alone some 94 pages of data such as yours. Those of you who have case managers who at least do their job; be grateful. That's a lot more than some of us have. There is a huge difference from dept to dept in the Labor office.

What a crock of Horse Shit!

Perhaps it came off as arrogant and I am sorry for that but I do stand by my intentions. My intentions are for people to quit feeling sorry for themselves, take the cards you are dealt and decide how you can make it better.

Sitting around and waiting for a hand out is not a solution.

Work hard, plan your future. Don't sit around and wait for things to HAPPEN TOO YOU!

Oh yeah, I forgot... Evil corporations are to blame...

heh heh

Well, glad you cleared that up (by the way I'M ExMU!) ;-) I think your intentions are great, and you have a lot to be proud of. You have done a phenomenal job, and set a terrific example for your kids, family, and friends. I agree on not just sitting around waiting for hand-outs. I was just making the point that there is a difference in people's abilities, and therefor what they can accomplish, because too many people consider themselves better than others, when in fact life has blessed them with greater abilities.
I.E. Be Proud of what you have accomplished, but be grateful and thankful for what you have been gifted with.
But I apologize for hammering on you, since I don't know you.
Hey VIPER: what's a crock of H.S., and why?

Viper has anger management issues - I'm surprised he's still around - in more ways than one ;-)

Hey, you see that Aptina needs more 8" fab capacity? Think that's a way for Micron Boise to use their old equipment and keep local jobs? NO! They're going to use the Micron Japan 8" fab to make CMOS sensors.

Because Lord knows labor in Japan is so much cheaper.

When can we put some of these people on trial for treason?

Let's think like a Micro-manager....

We need to build a plant in, and export jobs to a country with economic woes... what's in the news right now...

Wait - I got it - DUBAI !!!!! Why if we can do it in Japan - surely we can do it in Dubai !!!!!

Booya - ROTFLMAO!!!! Great one!

Rumor has it that Mu will turn a profit this quarter.

Sure they will