A web-based program of PrimeWay Federal Credit Union in Houston called "LaidoffinHouston" and offering financial counseling and job help to the unemployed spread this month to Pennsylvania with a copycat venture launched by Erie General Electric FCU.
"We certainly don't want to take away at all what the Houston credit union started, but it looks like the Web site idea can work for us," said Trent Mason, chief marketing officer at Erie GE, which aptly named its program, "LaidoffinErie."
Both online services provide guidance to members and non-members on financial products and also contain direct links to placement and recruiting firms with PrimeWay connecting to SEGs that have jobs to offer. PrimeWay has also hired one of its investment advisers to provide free financial counseling.
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Erie GE said it started the "LaidoffinErie" online link earlier this month and has already received favorable TV coverage "so this is working well as a positive service to the community at a time of economic distress," said .Mason.
That is particularly the case at the GE locomotive plant in Laurence Park, Pa. which recently made permanent the temporary layoffs of 1,200 workers and also cut 260 jobs at an engine plant in nearby Grove City.
PrimeWay officials said both the counseling and job help elements were drawing many phone calls after a local TV stations did interviews. The counseling "is being handled in a way to make members feel comfortable, safe and free of judgement," said a spokeswoman.
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