Tom,
As I said before, Bernie Gordon did NOT lay you off. He had nothing to do with the company when you were laid off. Furthermore, when you were working, you got paid didn't you? The management for whom you worked were all laid off by the new CEO and replaced by his cronies. They were the ones who decided that they didn't want you anymore, probably so they could fill the place with their own hires.

When Bernie ran the company, he ran it (his quote) "To make jobs for production workers." Your perception is entirely wrong.

Furthermore, in the state of Massachusetts, the only thing required by law when laying off an hourly worker is to pay them for at least four hours work on the day they are terminated. Look what you got? A week's pay for every year of service, plus continuation of some other benefits.

If you were working for Jack Welch (GE) you would come to work one day and find a sign on the door. It would state that the building was closed and your termination would be handled by mail. When you received the form-letter-pink-slip, it would have your final paycheck, calculated to the minute on the last day you punched out.