Tucson reservist loses job when Navy calls

Tucson Citizen ^ | 3/15/03 | OSCAR ABEYTA and IRWIN M. GOLDBERG

[gtech]

A federal lawsuit alleges Pep Boys fired a store manager because of his military obligation.

Automotive supply chain Pep Boys fired a Tucson store manager because his military Reserve duties took him away from work, according to a federal lawsuit filed here.
It may not be an isolated case. Several other reservists fired from Pep Boys in Tucson and Pennsylvania have contacted a military advocacy group with similar complaints.
Pep Boys' Tucson attorney, Todd E. Hale, declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing company policy not to discuss ongoing legal cases.

Rest of the story: http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/business/3_15_03reservist.html

[clamper1797]

It's an issue of some things being workable and some not

To a TRUE patriot this would not even be an issue worthy of a second thought ... and to a TRUE patriot ANYONE who WOULD give it a second thought is NO patriot ... and running your mouth calling those who call you on it ignorant and proclaiming to be a patriot when you are not (at least in my eyes) does NOT make you one

[TSgt]

Given the fact that you know nothing about me or my situation, you only reveal your own ignorance.

I don't need to know anything about your situation to know that the RIGHT thing to do is to support those that serve regardless of how it may effect your bottom line. It's called PATRIOTISM.

\Pa"tri*ot*ism\, n. [Cf. F. patriotisme.] Love of country; devotion to the welfare of one's country; the virtues and actions of a patriot; the passion which inspires one to serve one's country

You see MisissippippiMan, it is not about your business, it is about the welfare of one's country.

..sit back and make declarations about how easy it is to do something when you know zero about the details.

I never said it would be an easy thing to do for a small business however it is the RIGHT thing to do.

The only reason I brought this up was because of all the blanket statements thrown out in this thread about boycotting any business in this situation, which is utter foolishness.

Boycotting businesses that would turn their backs on those who serve is not foolish.

Turning your back on those who sacrifice so much for us is...

[MississippiMan]

Think whatever you like. You were wrong and you remain wrong. Not worth discussing any further, though.

MM

[TSgt]

If I am wrong then you should be able to tell me how I am wrong.

You last post is a copout thus your position must not be worth arguing.

MM It's nothing personal. You win some and you lose some.

FR is just that way. :)

[clamper1797]

You are right Sir ... you are NOT worth the time ... and like it or not ... you and ANYONE who would even consider putting their bottomline ahead of our country and it's military ... is NO patriot

[clamper1797]

I'm proud of you Mike ... give em hell

[FreedomPoster]

Dear Sir or Madam (at Pep Boys):

I recently read the following article from Tucson:
Tucson reservist loses job when Navy calls
A federal lawsuit alleges Pep Boys fired a store manager because of his military obligation.
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/business/3_15_03reservist.html

I expect that whether Pep Boys actions were legal will be determined in a court of law. Whether the actions were despicable is incontrovertible.

By the way, I will no longer see the insides of your stores in my area of North Atlanta. The stores I *used* to visit are the ones on Jimmy Carter Boulevard between Buford Highway and I-85, and the one on Buford Highway inside the Perimeter just north of Clairmont.

I know exactly where my closest NAPA and Advance stores are located.

Good day.

[FP]

[FreedomPoster]

Oh, yes, my subject line:

"You've really stepped in it, haven't you?"

[TSgt]

Thank you for your service

Vietnam Veteran ... Yankee Station 72-73.

It is truly an honor.

[clamper1797]

And I am absolutely sure you will continue the tradition of SELFLESS service to our country

[new cruelty]

bump

[spokeshave]

Can someone get this to O'Reilly....

Also check in the mail for the Balodis (Patriot) family...

Best regards

[Archangelsk]

A follow up from a corporate drone at Pep Boys:

Service to our nation is paramount to Pep Boys. We are very proud, not only of all those Pep Boys associates currently serving our country but, of every U.S. service man and woman who has ever served.

Our policies grant leaves of absence for military duty to our associates and are in full compliance with Federal and State law.

Regarding recent allegations, we are confident no inappropriate actions have been taken toward any former or current Pep Boys associate due to his or her military obligations. We do, however, take allegations of this type seriously and investigate any such claim.

My original letter:

To:
Subject: Rest assured....

....that because of your loathsome decision to terminate Erik Balodis because of his service obligation to the U.S. Navy (http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/business/3_15_03reservist.html) I will never spend another dollar in any of your stores. This is where my wallet defeats your tyranny of the bottom line.

With utter contempt,

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

THE LAW:
Federal
A person who is a member of, applies to be a member of, performs, has performed, applies to perform or has an obligation to perform in a uniformed service shall not be denied initial employment, re-employment, retention in employment, promotion or any benefit of employment by an employer on the basis of that membership, application for membership, performance of service, application for service or obligation.
State
An employee has a claim against an employer for termination of employment only if one or more of the following circumstances have occurred:

• The employer has terminated the employment relationship of an employee in retaliation for any of the following:

• Service in the national guard or armed forces as protected by (state law).

[gtech]

Response from Pep Boys:

Dear Greg,

Thank you for your inquiry regarding recent press reports concerning a former Pep Boys employee who filed a lawsuit against Pep Boys alleging termination due to military obligations. We are confident that no inappropriate actions have been taken toward this or any Pep Boys associate due to his or her military obligations.

At the present time, more than 30 Pep Boys associates have been called to active duty and are now serving. We would never terminate an employee for military service in support of our nation and are very proud, not only of our associates currently serving in the military, but also of very U.S. service man and woman who has ever served.

Our policy grants leaves of absence to our associates for military duty and we are in full compliance with, and in some areas exceed, state and federal laws. The policy is consistent with the guidelines of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a volunteer organization serving reserve and guard members.

While it is not our practice to comment on ongoing litigation and personnel matters, this particular employee's termination, on June 27, 2002, was unrelated to his military reserve status and solely related to other factors dating back to the summer of 2001.

Our prayers and thoughts are with our troops and their families in this tenuous time and we offer them our support and gratitude.

Thank you for your interest in Pep Boys.

[Archangelsk]

Yeah, I got the same e-mail from the drone.