This may be loooong, sorry...

Recently my dept at work decided to "restructure" our positions once again. In doing so, my position (PS) is pretty much being desolved into another position (RD) as both used to be ONE position, which is what they are going back to. Currently with both positions divided between two people, there are 12 employees (6 PS/6 RD). They will be going back down to only 6 positions and naming them (RD). We all have had to apply for one of these positions (which would keep us at pretty much the same pay/hours). Those 6 who do not get the RD position, will be offered an HM position, which is less pay and very different hours. Currently, my position, PS, is hourly, no weekend nights or holidays. The RD position is salary, on-call over weekends, nights, and holidays, and may have to cover hours if needed. I cannot afford the drop in pay or hour change of the HM position, BUT, I do not want to be an RD. I applied for the RD position because I'm under the impression that if I do not at least attempt to get the RD position, that if I'm not picked for the position, and offered the HM position, I would be able to collect unemployment since I can't take the pay cut/hour change with two babies in day care. Our President stated they would not fight unemployment because they are getting rid of our positions. SO, I applied, I didnt have much confidence that I would get the RD position anyway. (Two people were shoe-ins for the RD due to other circumstances. So the remaining 4 slots, I figured others would get it over me anyway (6 of us applied). Now I find out one of the "shoe-ins" put her two weeks notice in, leaving 5 positions to fill from 6 applicants. There is really only one person I figured I'd get it over him. So I'm thinking if they decide to hire 5 now instead of the initial 4, I will more likely get one, which I don't want. NOW, my question is, I had to apply to make the effort to keep current pay and hours. IF I am chosen for one of the positions, do I HAVE to accept, or if I say I don't want it, would I still qualify for unemployment? IMO, the PS and RD positions really aren't comparable. PS is hourly and Mon-Fri. The RDs are salaried, on-call and may have to cover hours. Plus nothing was mentioned about a pay raise for combining the 2 positions. I guess I'm asking, would I still be eligible for unemployment if I'm offered the RD position, and I decline, but can't do the HM position either? If you made it through this THANK YOU!!