Kennedy, Cleland: Stop Messing with Vets' Jobs

Source: Wired blog

By Noah Shachtman

Tens of thousands of Guardsmen and Reservists are getting shafted by their bosses, when they get home from Afghanistan and Iraq. "Since 9/11, nearly 11,000 National Guard and Reserve troops have been denied prompt reemployment. 20,000 service men and women had their pensions cut, and another 11,000 lost their health insurance," write Senator Edward Kennedy and former Senator Max Cleland. The Senate Labor Committee, which Kennedy chairs, held hearings into this nauseating trend earlier this week. Cleland, who won the Silver Star during the Vietnam War, has been a well-known veterans' advocate for years.

This is their first post for DANGER ROOM.



Veterans Day reminds us all of our continuing commitment to the nation's veterans. We have a solemn responsibility to honor and protect our service men and women not only when they're on the battlefield, but when they return home as well.

Sadly, however, when many of our brave troops in the National Guard or Reserves come home, another fight is just beginning for them.

The transition back to civilian life is never easy. Returning soldiers face a host of difficulties, from physical injuries to post-traumatic stress disorder. But reclaiming their civilian jobs shouldn't be one of them.

Read more: http://blog.wired.com/defense/2007/11/kennedy-cleland.html

Nothing but chickenhawk cowards with yellow magnetic stickers.

http://www.concompass.com/governmentcontractlaws.htm

Laws Related to Government Contracting
Following is a brief synopsis of the laws that an employer must follow based on the number of employees in the company. CCA can assist you with compliance, but with all legal issues, you should always refer to an attorney for legal advice.

These are ONLY applicable if a company has government contract vehicles under it's belt, all others are "fair game" and may need to comply with a different set of rules, that seem to ah, trump any anti-discrimination legislation. These include the "employment at will doctrine" or "right to work."

However, it's unlikely that the unemployed who make it a full-time job trying to get a job, will be able to come up with a retainder and other expenses of fighting a legal battle. Also, the loop holes within each act are endless. In addition, there are very strict timetables that one must meet regarding complaints, which of course are stalled by government agencies, panels, uncooperative previous and past employers, etc... negating the complainers' or their representatives' timely notices. The timetables are very short and wielded in an iron-clad fashion that favors the employers and government.

For the VET with no income and other obligations, it's difficult to find the appropriate legal counsel that's willing to take a case likely to go on and on and on with so little chance of damages as the case is kept out of courts. VA assistance/advocacy is also neglible to nil if you are a non-disabled, state-side serving VET. Yes, there's also that inherent discrimination, HEY, what are you complaining about--you're just lucky that you didn't see any real action.

Hum? Not having any respect for the law or following the rules? I wonder where businesses would get the idea to try something like that on our citizens?

GREAT Leadership shows integrity FROM THE TOP.

But Bush leadership?