Sallie Mae jobs could be in jeopardy
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Updated: 7:36 PM Sep 17, 2009
Sallie Mae jobs could be in jeopardy
Sallie Mae's 700 local jobs could be in jeopardy if the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009 is passed.
Posted: 6:35 PM Sep 17, 2009
Reporter: Josh Gauntt
Email Address: joshua.gauntt@wjhg.com
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Employees at Sallie Mae are remaining optimistic despite Thursday's news that the House passed President Obama's student loan bill.

The bill would make the federal government the sole issuer of the loans. Passage by the senate could put Sallie Mae's 700 local jobs in jeopardy.

The Sallie Mae facility accounts for about a third of the one-hundred-billion dollars federal student loan program.

This program has been in existence since 1993, but schools and students have spoken with their voices for 16 years. They would prefer the private sector," Renee Mang, Fannie Mae's Senior Vice President said.

Proponents of the bill say the plan would save the government tens of billions of dollars. Others claim the market needs that competitive edge to stay afloat.

The private sector has seventy-five of the business. The federal government has twenty-five-percent.

Congressman Allen Boyd voted against the bill saying he wants to protect Florida's jobs. So while we are disappointed, were incredibly grateful for Congressman Boyd. Hes just been terrific for the Sallie Mae employees.

Local and state leaders rallied last month with those Sallie Mae employees. A petition drive was started to tell Congress to save Florida's jobs.

Of the 20,000 signatures needed, 13,000 people so far have signed their name in support.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Florida on Nov 3, 2009 at 05:30 AM

The government is authorized to "fund such programs" by the Higher Education Act of 1965. You see they have this thing called a legislative session in Congress where they debate bills which could ultimately be signed into law. This was the case with the HEA of 1965 that was signed by Lyndon Johnson and has been reauthorized every five years since. Perhaps when you want to quote the Bill of Rights you should acquaint yourself with how our governement works. That way you don't look like some wingnut libertarian spouting off what they heard on some radio show or read on a blog somewhere.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Panama City on Oct 15, 2009 at 02:44 PM

VOTE YES ON (H.R. 3221), TO REMOVE SALLIE MAE AS BEING THE MONOPOLY FOR STUDENT LOANS. READ HOW SALLIE MAE HAS DESTROYED LIVES WITH THEIR OUT OF SITE INTEREST RATES.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Panama City on Sep 21, 2009 at 02:27 PM

As a former employee, I can confirm that the local office does treat employees unfairly! When nearly 200 of us were laid off over a year ago, we were told that when they start hiring again they would call us. Sadly, there were no calls for us to come back. I know a very good employee who actually tried to go back to work when they were hiring and she did not even get an interview, only a rejection letter stating she wasn't qualified. Really, after 14 years she wasn't qualified? Yes, they have hired some employees back who reapplied, but I would not work for them again. The day 60 of us got laid off, they did not even treat us with resect. They told us to pick up a box that was waiting outside the conference room we were in and to quickly and quitely go down the back steps and as go directly to our desks to get our personal items. We were told not to speak to anyone. The higher up management team are only looking after THEIR jobs. They could care less about the replaceable agent!
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