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VETS News Release: [10/04/2006]
Contact Name: Mike Biddle
Phone Number: 202-693-4676 or x5051
Release Number: 06-1706-NAT

U.S. Labor Department Strengthens System for Resolving Job-Related Complaints by National Guard and Reserve Members

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that it has launched an enhanced data management system that consolidates federal efforts to track and resolve job-related complaints filed by National Guard members, reservists and veterans.

"We are committed to ensuring that our brave men and women who are protecting our country's freedoms have the opportunities they deserve when they return to civilian life," said Charles. S. "Chick" Ciccolella, assistant secretary of labor for the Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS). "This new case management system better coordinates federal efforts to do that, resulting in a faster complaint resolution process."

The new system will be managed by VETS, which is responsible for administering the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, known as USERRA. This law protects the jobs and benefits of individuals who voluntarily leave their civilian jobs to undertake military service. USERRA also prohibits employers from discriminating against past and present members of the uniformed services and applicants to the uniformed services.

VETS works closely on enforcement of USERRA with the department's Office of the Solicitor, the Department of Defense's National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, and the Office of Special Counsel.

The new case management system will be integrated into VETS' current USERRA Information Management System. Enhancements include providing "real time" access to USERRA case information by all agencies involved in mediation, investigation and enforcement of USERRA.

"This system will help the department and other agencies properly manage the entire complaint resolution process and will make the USERRA investigation process more efficient," said Ciccolella.

For more information on VETS and USERRA, visit www.dol.gov/vets/.

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