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VETS News Release: [10/20/2005]
Contact Name: Dirk Fillpot or Mike Biddle
Phone Number: 202-693-4676 or x5051
Release Number: 05-1612-NAT

Labor Secretary Encourages Employers to Hire Vets First; Enhances Protection of Rights for Guard and Reserve Members

WASHINGTON—In a series of announcements today at a National Press Club ceremony, U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao kicked off Department of Labor plans to enhance protection of employment rights for America's citizen-soldiers; to strengthen assistance programs for veterans transitioning from military to civilian careers, and to encourage private employers to hire veterans.

“HireVetsFirst promotes the reality that veterans make great employees. They possess valuable skills including a sense of discipline, maturity, leadership and a results-oriented work ethic,” said Chao. “They were there for us, now it's our turn to be there for them. We will protect their rights and help them successfully transition to civilian life.”

As part of the Labor Department's efforts to support veterans' employment, Chao unveiled a public service announcement, featuring former Senator Bob Dole, which encourages employers to hire veterans. This is the latest effort in the department's HireVetsFirst campaign which highlights the valuable skills and experience veterans offer employers. Senator Dole participated in the ceremony and joined Chao and Defense Department officials in recognizing service members, employers and leaders of veteran service organizations, including the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Non Commissioned Officers Association and AMVETS (American Veterans).

During the ceremony, Chao signed the Five-Star Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve, committing the department to support its citizen-soldiers and provide an example to other employers. Chao was the first non-defense Cabinet secretary to sign the agreement. Chao also announced that the department's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) and the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) have signed a memorandum of understanding to improve their cooperative efforts to protect the jobs and benefits of National Guard and Reserve service members.

ESGR is a Defense Department organization established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve component members and their civilian employers. Today, ESGR operates through a network of more than 4,500 volunteers in 55 different committees located in each state, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Both VETS and ESGR have proactive compliance assistance programs to ensure employers and employees understand their rights and responsibilities under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, known as USERRA. Enacted in 1994, this law protects the job rights of individuals who voluntarily or involuntarily leave employment positions to undertake military service. The law also prohibits employers from discriminating against past and present members of the uniformed services and applicants to the uniformed services. Employers can obtain detailed information about USERRA by calling 1-866-4-USA-DOL or by visiting www.dol.gov/vets/programs/userra. The PSA is located online at www.dol.gov/opa/media/audio/main.htm.

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