Military: Job Issues - Final Update

[Cajungaltx]

My husband was sent home today - he's on 'suspension'. His efficiency is lower than management would like. He's been on military duty for more than 1/2 the month - and came back to new procedures every time - which they would tell him about AFTER a day or two... so, his number's sucked. 67% efficiency, when they would like over 90% efficiency.

He did soften the blow by bringing me Starbucks on his way home...

He went to his union rep, and filed a grievance.... I'm not very 'pro-union' - but I am SO pissed off at his boss that I could chew nails.

Brad provides his NG schedule to AT&T MONTHS in advance - I know, cause I faxed it to his manager. And he updates his manager on any changes. He goes way above the 'requirement' for keeping them posted on what's going on. When he got his schedule showing all the upcoming training, I was worried about how his boss would view it, because of the 'he's NEVER going to be here in the next 6 months, and then he'll be gone for a YEAR' part.

*sigh*

So this last week, he had 4 days of guard training for Warrior Leadership that was scheduled for Thursday - Sunday. So he gets the schedule, and she scheduled him OFF on Sunday -Tuesday, working Wed-Sunday.

So he had to call and remind his manager(as he has to do EVERY month) that he had National Guard duty, and wouldn't BE there Thursday-Sunday. They wouldn't modify the schedule. So he got to work on Wednesday, and that was it.

He has NG again this weekend (it's a new month, and just happened to be back to back with the Warrior training of last weekend) - and he's scheduled to work the weekend... again...

But he's now 'suspended' until they review his situation with the boss of HIS boss (who told the union steward that he's been out alot because of military duty) and a union representative. Hopefully this will happen on Friday. But of course, then he has to let them know (as if they weren't made aware already) that he has guard this weekend, and can't work Saturday/Sunday...

Oh... and in two weeks, he has to attend a marriage seminar the 20-21st (military requirement for both of us), and then a SRP (Soldier Readiness Packet - where they make sure all the paperwork is taken care of for deployment) the 23-25th....

I'm getting an education on real world jobs/military difficulties. I thought that you couldn't lose your job because of military duties... and apparently you CAN... if it's not directly stated that it's related to military duties....

GRRR!

[Bruce M. Morris]

Donna,
Contact his NG command Senior Enlisted Advisor or legal. Employers are supposed to take in to consideration NG commitments especially when you have a history of letting them know well ahead of time.

Check this listing and work from here.
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/justi...n/a/userra.htm

[z-monster]

Being a full time Solider I hear about stuff like this all the time from our Reserve and National Guard brothers & sisters. Yes, There are laws that protect Solider's from such discrimination. However there are 'shady' companies out there that know how to get around these laws. It's all about how far you guys are willing to go to prove that your husbands company is doing that. You two are gonna have to do some hardcore research in order to know your rights in this matter.

Good luck!

[Westx]

Donna

Sorry to here about your husbands troubles. Do as the others have said and go through the military chain of command to get some advice from them. There is some strange laws and loop holes in all of them.

PS: Tell hubby I said thanks for his continued service to our Country.

Wes
USAF Ret.

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by z-monster

Being a full time Solider I hear about stuff like this all the time from our Reserve and National Guard brothers & sisters. Yes, There are laws that protect Solider's from such discrimination. However there are 'shady' companies out there that know how to get around these laws. It's all about how far you guys are willing to go to prove that your husbands company is doing that. You two are gonna have to do some hardcore research in order to know your rights in this matter.

Good luck!

The unit just had a guy come talk to them about this stuff - who told them that it was REALLY hard to prove that a company was terminating you because you were a soldier... almost impossible in fact.

We are going to wait til his discussion with his employer occurs, and with the Union folks. I'm going to talk to one of the attorneys I work with, and see if they think an attorney present at the hearing would be a good thing for personal representation.

.

[paul48503]

Sorry to her this Donna. I know things will work out for you guys. God will bless...

[Daniel Bates]

I'd definitely talk with your JAG rep. The Army doesn't take kindly to this sort of shenanigans.

[herenaustin]

I agree with the others' suggestions. I think you SHOULD have a personal atty there - if nothing else it will send a message to the employer that this employee is not going down wihtout a fight. They may think twice before messing with him again. Just a thought.

Good luck.

[dpena]

Donna, Bruce Is Right Take His Advise And Do It !!!!!!!!!!

[Chief]

This is the kind of crap that really get my dander up. Do Not take this lightly. Contact his Command and Get the media involved They could be your best Ali. There are a lot of companies that say their all for the Troops just to present a good image. But when it effects them they blackball the Veteran. I am on your side 100%.

Good Luck

Gordon

[ka5txl]

Donna,

It's like any other discrimnation. It's hard to prove if it's not overt, having said that have as others have said have your husband follow up with his unit command structure. also here is a link to the Employer support for the Guard and Reserve.
http://esgr.org/site/ResourcesPublic...8/Default.aspx

as a side note I checked the NGAT site and as a life member I was disappointed.

Good Luck

[chrismg67]

Donna,
I am also an AT&T employee. I am not in the NG but I am a veteran and this just gives me one more thing to be disgusted with AT&T about. I'll bet it has something to do with the fact that there may be a strike at anytime. The management types are hating life right now and are doing anything they can to make the union members life as miserable as their own. Getting the media involved sounds like a GREAT idea! These greedy executives hate negative media attention.

[Cajungaltx]

Chris -
I think you are right. Brad's union rep was supposed to get him into a meeting on Friday - but they had TEN employee's already going into a meeting, so they told him 'sometime next week'.... which is great. That will mean a couple weeks of 'no pay' because of this situation. Fortunately he has NG, which will help him out some. I'm glad I had a great month with my 'other than day job' stuff. ;-)

He had told me they were really making it difficult (the management) and he was hoping the strike would either occur, or they'd just sign a contract and be done with it.

Donna

[CaptainTom]

This brings back some memories for me.
In 1980 I went on strike as an Air Traffic Controller and a PATCO elected official.
We'll be going back to work any day now....

[chrismg67]

Unfortunately, I think there will be a strike and it will probably be a long one. Our old CEO's mission in life was to get AT&T back together. I think this CEO's mission is to break the union. There is a possibility that if there is a strike, the company could "lockout" everyone who walks and then they would not be able to come back to work at all. I'm not a fan of the union, especially the CWA, and that is why I will probably keep working if there is a strike. Other telecom companies like Verizon are largely non union and they make more and have better benefits.

It's also very unfortunate that the CWA is a very weak union so I wouldn't expect much in the way of representation for your husband. I've needed their representation before and they sent me a steward that was retiring the next day. He sat there during the entire meeting and didn't say a word on my behalf.