SHOCKING AND DISGRACEFUL – AT 10:59 A.M. ET:  We wouldn't expect to be reading this on Independence Day, but it's important to alert you to something that is truly outrageous.  From The Washington Times:

As the Iraq and Afghanistan wars persist, some employers are becoming increasingly resistant to rehire service members who return from active duty as federal law requires, some legal analysts say.

Washington lawyer Matthew Tully, who specializes in these cases, said that, as the war on terrorism and its heavy reliance on National Guard and Reserve units stretches into its second decade, companies have become more familiar with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.

But Mr. Tully, a founding partner at Tully Rinckey PLLC, said some employers have objections with the law and have been upfront with his firm about their failure to re-employ and sometimes even to hire citizen-soldiers. One prime reason is financial. He said, without specifying names, that airline companies have told the law firm that hiring military personnel has resulted in higher labor costs.

"We've seen the number of intentional violations skyrocket in the past three years," he said.

The 1994 law requires employers to rehire workers who return from active military duty and, in the hiring process, prohibits discrimination against those who might become deployed.

A 2008 Labor Department report states that the employment law is entirely "complaint driven" and the government does not bring criminal charges against companies that violate the law.

COMMENT:  Well, maybe the government policy should change, and criminal charges be filed against the violators.

And...I would just love to know the CEO salaries of some of the companies who "can't afford" to hire returning vets.  Would just love to know them. 

Makes the blood boil.

July 3, 2010