Certain experiences will always force a reevaluation of life’s priorities. The birth of a child, a near-death experience — or getting fired. The latest episode of Salon’s video series on unemployment in America begins with Theresa Iacovo, a laid-off truck dispatcher, reminiscing on all of the Christmases she missed during her 20-year career. “Why did I give up that time with my family that I can never give back?” she asks.

After demonstrating in front of the NY State Unemployment office building on Varick Street and getting arrested, our local group of 99ers decides to hold a candlelight vigil at City Hall. Visit this special web page on salon.com to see the video (also available on YouTube).

Tens of millions of Americans are involuntarily jobless, but being unemployed still carries a stigma.

“Many people hadn’t told their families or friends, because they were ashamed,” explains Sam Talbot, an unemployed cook, in the second installment of Salon.com’s new video series, “F**ked: The United States of Unemployment”. Some people didn’t want to be on camera or mentioned by name because they were ashamed or afraid they would be discriminated against by employers.

See what happens when this group of intrepid 99ers decides to confront the unemployment stigma head-on by traveling to Washington, D.C., for the One Nation Working Together rally. Visit this special page to view the video (also available on YouTube).

With apologies to Irving Berlin, author of “White Christmas”.

I’m dreaming of a Thanksgiving
Just like the ones we used to know
Shared with friends and family
Well-fed and happy
Instead of being broke and low

I’m dreaming of warm turkey
With candied yams and apple pie
Instead of being jobless
And feeling hopeless
For food and things we cannot buy

I’m dreaming of a good country
Where everyone has found a job
Where the firms are hiring
Instead of firing
And children laugh instead of sob

I’m dreaming of a Thanksgiving
Just like the ones we used to know
May each day be ours to survive
And may Congress grant us a Tier 5

Anyone presently collecting unemployment benefits will become a “99er” after November 30th, when the current benefits extension bill expires — unless Congress votes for reauthorization. And by “99er” this does not mean that you will receive 99 weeks of benefits, this means you will become a UI benefits “exhaustee”.

If Congress doesn’t reauthorize additional extensions your current benefits will conclude at the end of your current tier — and you won’t advance any further. For example, if you are presently collecting your first 26 weeks, that is all you will receive. If you are presently in Tier I, Tier II or Tier III, those are the only weeks of benefits you will receive. You will not advance to the next tier. You will become an exhaustee and will be joining the 99ers, whose last extension ended at Tier IV — or 99 weeks.

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