The Labor Movement is gone for me.

[Help_I_Live_In_Idaho]

The labor movement has lost it's relevance and power for the average worker. Most of us work for small businesses that could never form a union. And in my state (right to work Idaho) it is impossible to even join a union unless you are a state employee or work for an interstate or global company. I have tried for several years to get affiliated with a union and no one will even talk to me about it. not even a union. Omaha Steve gave up on me too because he can't get the union to talk to me. They don't even call. I make $300 per week with a Masters Degree and 2 year residency doing counseling plus 16 years experience and I'm a a Licensed Clinician certified in Adlerian Therapy.

I don't get breaks sometimes for 8-9 hours, I am an hourly employee and not on contract. I am paid by the billable hour. My salary was taken away and I now make half my old pay. And, even though I am at work answering the phone and doing work related paperwork 40 -50 hours per week; I am not paid for half of the tasks I do. When I am not doing therapy I don't get paid a dime for up to 25 hours of the work I do per week. I have gone to the state department of employment and they say it is a civil matter. I have been working this way for 16 years. Most of the social workers in the state of Idaho work this way. That's just the small of it.

My wife is a PhD and a university professor and a Mensa member.. She works 60 hours a week and gets about 24 K per year for her effort teaching business. She has been at Lewis Clark State College for 4 years. She has won several awards for her teaching and advocacy. She is passes over for promotions because she is liberal and teaches liberal. All of the liberal professors in the business department are paid zilch if they are liberal. Its the same for me. No one in the State wants my 16 years experience. They hire conservative students directly out of college. I can't get any other job despite a 4.0 grade point average through all 6 years of college and raving fabulous reports of progress from my clients.This is the condition of the average worker. Nothing can be done and no one will help - not even Obama. PS I still love him.

PS - Don't give me advice , advocate for me - I am an American worker.

[msongs]

1. maybe you should should join and advocate for the dominant religious cult Idaho? nt

[Help_I_Live_In_Idaho]

2. Screw Idaho

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[Help_I_Live_In_Idaho]

9. Not Me Todd

:)

[barb162]

3. Avg teacher salary in Idaho $41,000

http://teacherportal.com/salary/idaho-teacher-salary

Your wife could work in my school district where the avg salary for teachers is in the high 50s-60s, usually with a masters and more with a PhD. Benefits are massive. Your wife should perhaps switch to high school teaching or go into industry.

I agree with you about the American labor picture. It's worse than dismal and I think it will get a lot worse.

[Help_I_Live_In_Idaho]

4. Very True

And teachers at that rate aren't getting what they are worth. Where is your school district?

[barb162]

5. I'll PM you.

[Help_I_Live_In_Idaho]

6. How do you do the PM thing?

?

[dcsmart]

7. what about a job in another state

[Help_I_Live_In_Idaho]

8. I want to Move... but health care

I like Oregon or Northern California. If possible I'd like a job in Belize or Costa Rica. Maybe this country will pull itself together, but I have my doubts. Know of any Jobs in States that are in the west. Sorry east coasters. I'm not big on the big city. I have never been able to deal with urban issues. I really liked Palo Alto California when I was visiting Stanford. And Berkley - love it. Eugene Oregon is one of my favorite places. Eureka California is my style. But this issue is I have health issues that require me to have health insurance. My Wife has State insurance and I can stay alive with it. Without it I'm not sure. Thanks for asking.

[Help_I_Live_In_Idaho]

10. Anywhere in the west would be good nt