Reservists Say War Makes Them Lose Jobs

[southernleftylady]

WASHINGTON - Increasing numbers of National Guard and Reserve troops who have returned from war in Iraq (news - web sites) and Afghanistan (news - web sites) are encountering new battles with their civilian employers at home. Jobs were eliminated, benefits reduced and promotions forgotten.



Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the Labor Department (news - web sites) reports receiving greater numbers of complaints under a 1994 law designed to give Guard and Reserve troops their old jobs back, or provide them with equivalent positions. Benefits and raises must be protected, as if the serviceman or servicewoman had never left.

Some soldiers, however, are finding the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act can't protect them.

_Larry Gill couldn't return as a police officer in Thomasville, Ala., because a grenade injured a foot, making it impossible for him to chase criminals or duck bullets.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040815/ap_on_go_ot/returning_from_war_guard

[iconoclastic cat]

1. Disgusting and tragic.

[NMDemDist2]

2. but certainly not unexpected

poor bastards

and the economy is so screwed up right now, there are no replacement jobs either :cry:

[Florida_Geek]

3. Here is the AP article on the law

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Returning-from-War-Law.html

...cut...

--While on active duty, guard and reserve troops retain re-employment rights for five years, plus an additional year if the absence is for convenience of the government. This means virtually all activated Guard and Reserve troops are protected.

--Returning service members must be re-employed in the job they would have attained had they remained at work, with the same seniority, status and pay.

--If the original job no longer exists, the service member must be offered any equivalent position.

--Employers must make reasonable efforts to enable returning service members to refresh or upgrade skills to qualify for re-employment.

--Employers must make reasonable efforts to accommodate disabled veterans.

--Troops performing military duty for more than 30 days may elect to continue employer-sponsored health care for up to 18 months, although they may be required to pay up to 102 percent of the full premium. For service of less than 31 days, coverage is provided as if the service member had remained employed.

--Pensions are protected.

....cut..

[southernleftylady]

4. so 1994 ... so this helping the troops was done under clinton?

i thought he did nothing to help the troops?