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Interesting. Lifetouch has much newer equipment. I wonder why they would want CPIs old junk.
Seriously? You don't know who Dale Heins is?
I think they are just stalling to buy more time. I think they are clever and always have a plan of some kind.
I thought it was a bit shady when CPI instructed the studios that were closing (the week before the complete shutdown) to close out ALL their open orders. They were so adamant about never closing an order before the customer actually picked it up. CPI called that "false reporting" and said it was grounds for termination. I'm trying to imagine how many orders were closed but the customers
will never get the product they paid for.
They are talking about cutting extended federal unemployment benefits if a deal isn’t reached in the “fiscal cliff” discussions.
Here Is A Resource List if you need assisrance in the future:
First stop: Benefits.gov
Information about housing (www.unemployed-friends2.org/t4630-government-hud-homeless-assistance-programs)
The link in that informative list is broken, so go here. (http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/comm_planning/homeless/programs)
Homeless Shelter Directory (http://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/)
Call churches to find all resources in your area. They know about food banks, emergency shelters, organizations that will help you pay your utility bills, and more.
Unemployment Lifeline has a lot of resource listings. (http://www.unemploymentlifeline.com/)
Call Feeding America. You can find food banks there. They are unfortunately closed for the holidays (I called to check), but you can also search for foodbanks on their website. Their number is 1-800-771-2303. (http://feedingamerica.org/need-help.aspx)
Prescription assistance (source: www.unemployed-friends2.org)
http://www.pparx.org/
http://www.freemedicinefoundation.com/
http://www.peoples-law.org/health/charity-care/special_drug.htm
www.needymeds.com
http://www.rxoutreach.org/medications/
http://www.themedicineprogram.org/programs/Endo-Patient-Assistance-Program.php
https://www.pparx.org/Intro.php
www.drugcardsforfree.com
Phone services (if you qualify for food stamps, you qualify for these services)
https://www.safelinkwireless.com/EnrollmentPublic/home.aspx
http://www.assurancewireless.com/Public/Welcome.aspx
Pet resources. Some people scoff at this, but for many of us, our pets are family. There are pet food banks.
http://www.petwork.com/pet-health-care/pet-food-assistance
http://loveyourpetexpo.com/petfoodhelp.html
Website with nationwide links for low cost spay/neuter http://www.lovethatcat.com/spayneuter.html
http://www.aspca.org/aspca-nyc/mobileclinic/
Pets of the Homeless Organization (http://www.petsofthehomeless.org/what-we-do)
The Humane Society of America~Resources for Pet Owners (http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.htm)
Wonder how long this will take? I sent the info but have heard nothing else from them.
Thank you so much for your kind words. I means a lot to us.
Many of us are ashamed for what CPI did to our customers.
Yes you can! It is an ADOBE program. A friend has it. She says it works a little differently on her home PC but she likes it a lot.
That sounds like the same BS they fed us so we'd keep working.
That is what I thought until I visited that "Pissed Off Consumer"
site! Some of the customers believe we knew all along exactly
what would happen and that we intentionally scammed them.
I can't even read the posts on that site. Its quite
disturbing.
We don't have that information. You might find it on the web.
Have we heard any new info about this? Do they actually plan to move forward or are they just collecting our personal info?
IMO The more attorneys WHO are involved the less money WE will get.
I really hope we can stick with one attorney so our gains aren't
eaten up by legal fees!!!
Why are we not using Mr Ercole, the FIRST attorney who was mentioned????
The more attorneys that become involved the less money WE will get.
I really hope we can stick with one attorney so our gains aren't
eaten up by legal fees!!!
During the time that was happening I contacted an attorney who
specialized in labor law. He said before I could begin any legal actions I had to ask my employer to stop using my name and prove it caused damages. I sent the corporate office an email, copied studio support,my DM and RD.
Only my DM answered the email but shortly after that CPI stopped
using my name.
I think that is just a fabrication. Why would they send letters to some SMs but not others?
I have not received anything like that nor has anyone else I know.
Furthermore, BoA would be pretty brazen to accuse anyone
of theft. That could turn into a big lawsuit.
STL is an abbreviation for St Louis.
The CIGNA rep I spoke with said our benefits expired on 04/03/13
instead of 04/05/13 as CPI told us. CIGNA is waiting on an
official notice from CPI so they can send out the letters of credible coverage.
My unemployment claim WAS NOT paid. I've been on hold for
15 minutes to find out why.
If you read the past posts on this forum you can stay
in the loop.
I just got the letter to certify for unemployment benefits.
I don't know how that will go yet. It sounds like the same
thing I'm dealing with concerning insurance.
It seems like CPI has dropped the ball all the way around.
Regarding future insurance:
I called CIGNA today because I have not received my letter of "credible coverage" from them.
The CIGNA representative said they cannot send the letters
of credible coverage until CPI notifies them of the policies
termination.
If you will be looking for insurance coverage in the future,
you must have a letter of credible coverage from CIGNA. If
you don't have that you could possibly pay for insurance
for 6,12 or 18 months but any little thing they consider
"pre-existing" will not be covered.
The number for CIGNA is 1 800 244 6224 Be sure to watch for
your letter of credible coverage from CIGNA and call them
if you don't get the letter in the near future.
http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_hipaa.html
I agree with you. When companies like CPI get away with this kind of stuff it impacts everyone in the US who works for a living. It sets a precedent.
I'm all for being "optimistic" but being optimistic is not the same as being avoidant. Ignoring the issue when people violate your rights is not optimism its avoidance.
I'm an Erin Brockovich, kind of woman. I believe if we don't stand up to injustice it is more likely to grow than subside!
Bada bing bada boom LOL
Interesting:
"In a regulatory filing Monday, CPI said it transferred assets valued at $1.64 million to its wholly owned Canadian subsidiary on Friday."
That would have given us each a severance pay of about $250.
or a couple more months of insurance.
Things to do while you're unemployed
Volunteer.
Sixty percent of the hiring managers said volunteer work makes you more marketable. “When you volunteer for something, you are telling potential employers something about you as a person,” It shows that you are passionate about something and care about helping others—and it demonstrates that money isn’t the most important thing to you, he adds. “When companies are hiring, they are looking not only for people who can get the job done but also for people with character and integrity.” Volunteering is also a great way to keep from becoming depressed! Giving back gives you more than you give it
Even better, if you volunteer in an area you are passionate about you might be able to network and find a dream job!!
My guess is that is nobody has the numbers. If anybody had them it would be RDs. I'd bet there are ZERO RDs who participate on this forum.
We might have been able to find some obscure link to the numbers on our companies browser but we obviously no longer have access to that.
Is it true Lifetouch currently offers only part time employment with no benefits???
Thank you
It is good to be humble. Any of us could be one paycheck away from homeless
Some states have what is called "Collection Proof Debtors"
What that means is basically it is obvious the collectors cannot
get blood from a stone. You can fill out paperwork through legal
aid and collectors cannot hound you.
We all want to do whats right and pay our bills but when
our resources are yanked out from under us its our
responsibility to protect ourselves.
Most states also have food pantries run by various charities.
Granted its not what any of us want to do but until we find
jobs our children have to eat.
We were all productive member of the work force.
Take the help that is out there!
They didn't care then and they don't care now.
I'm so sorry.......I know how difficult it is.
I would just call the unemployment office in your state and explain what happened. They should know what benefits apply to the situation.
Yeah but even if we get a small sum isn't it better than
absolutely nothing ?
I did not sign the stuff they sent me and here is why. One document stated I was "retaining" Charles Ercole. I'm not going to agree to pay this guy anything. I emailed the office of Mr Ercole and asked if he was taking the case on a contingency basis. If he is not, I'm not signing anything! WE ALL NEED TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE AGREEING TO BEFORE WE SIGN ANYTHING!
Here is the definition of a "retainer" :
A contract between attorney and client specifying the nature of the services to be rendered and the cost of the services.
Retainer also denotes the fee that the client pays when employing an attorney to act on her behalf. When a client retains an attorney to act for her, the client thereby prevents the attorney from acting for an adversary.
A right to retainer refers to the authority by which the executor or administrator of the estate of a deceased person reserves out of the assets an amount sufficient to pay any debt due to him from the deceased in priority to the other creditors whose debts are of equal degree.
KLEHR | HARRISON | HARVEY | BRANZBURG LLP
Attorneys at Law
1835 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-569-2700
FAX: 215-568-6603
www.klehr.com
TO: Former CPI Employees
FROM: Charles A. Ercole
DATE: April 10, 2013
RE: Possible WARN Act Lawsuit
If you are receiving this memo, it is because you have
contacted our office or because it has been forwarded to you by
an employee who contacted us.
Our firm is investigating whether or not CPI violated the
WARN Act. These can be difficult cases to prosecute because of
the potential lack of assets available to pay in the event we
prevail. You can read more about the WARN Act and our firm’s
experience at www.warnactlawyer.com.
It doesn't matter....if he doesn't win the case he gets NOTHING
Most of these cases are on a contingency basis.That means the attorney gets paid if and when he gets money from the company that the lawsuit is filed against against.
Well if that were the case they probably violated the terms of use or service.This boards admins have been VERY fair and lenient with us. We can't begrudge them for doing what is appropriate.
FYI
I don't see them as being removed.....check post 6582
This kind of case is usually done on a contingency basis.
AKA the attorney will only get paid IF they win and money
is given. It works much like a personal injury case.
I can't imagine the attorney will proceed if he doesn't
have any chance to make money off of a case.
Perhaps but an attorney won't move forward if the chances for
monetary gains are not there.
I would suggest you contact the attorney and see where he stands before getting your hopes up.
The attorney named is a member of the PA bar. I couldn't find any
PA disciplinary actions against him within the past 5 years.
Exactly! I would hate to see any of our people get taken for a ride after all they have already been through.
I have heard nothing about this. It seems nobody else on the board has either. That raises a big red flag for me.
However I did find this:
http://www.wfsb.com/story/21923611/did-cpi-corp-violate-the-warn-act-when-it-closed-suddenly-and-laid-off-over-4000-employees
and this:
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases-test/did-cpi-corp-violate-the-warn-act-when-it--closed-suddenly-and-laid-off-over-4000-employees-202189691.html
Neither of these state the attorney is in NY NY