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

[gtech]

No more Pep Boys for me.

[mass55th]

Ditto!! Time for a national boycott of these pukes.

[stands2reason]

bttt

[LizardQueen]

Isn't this illegal?

And even if it's not, it's skanky.

My company, not known for it's moral behavior ::rolling eyes:: is holding my friends job open for him - he's a NatGuard helicopter pilot deployed overseas for the next 6 months. They are filling it with temps instead.

LQ

[steplock]

Just passed this info to my ex-corporate(retired) offices - This is for a nation-wide service company with many trucks nationwide that use Pep-Boys for tires/brakes/etc.

Hopefully not after this letter.

[steveo]

Manny, Moe and Jacques :p

[tiki]

I heard Sears makes up the difference in pay if the military is less. I haven't shopped Sears for a long time but I guess I'm going to start.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

So the Pep Boys want some, too. No problem, I'll buy my spark plugs and brake pads somewhere else!! Let the free market reign!!

[doug from upland]

If you can find that the Sears info is true, I will also shop there again.

[LincolnLover]

I am interested to see how this and other cases play out. I am a Reservist and my unit has been on alert status for over 60 days now.

I an familiar with the support ESGR gives to us Reservists, yet I've read that enforcement of employment-protection laws has been spotty at best in the past.

[Coop]

I can't comment on this particular aspect of Sears, but it usually seems to be one of those stores on the right side of common sense relating to national issues and the like. One of many reasons it's one of my favorite stores.

[MississippiMan]

I've never been faced with such a decision, but I have to tell you that for many small businesses--and I'm talking really small, not governement guidelines for what passes as small--holding a job would pose an incredible hardship and it is not a reflection of patriotism. In a larger organization, personnel can be moved around and accommodations made, but in tiny businesses that's just not always possible. Tough situation all around.

MM

[TADSLOS]

Isn't this illegal?

Here's the web address to answers:

http://www.esgr.org/employers/thelaw.asp

I tried posting as a link but it won't open.

[Dubya]

Pep Boys are a bunch of JERKS anyway.

[Archangelsk]

Here's my letter to the Pep Boys pinheads:

"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,"

My name.

Here's the e-mail address: mediarelations@pepboys.com

[kstewskis]

So the Pep Boys want some, too. No problem, I'll buy my spark plugs and brake pads somewhere else!! Let the free market reign!!

Got that right. It's off to Car Quest or Napa Auto for me next time I need parts.

[andysandmikesmom]

Yes, it is illegal to fire someone, when they must leave their regular jobs, due to callup from the reserves....

My husband just retired from the reserves, and he thinks that its within the last 10 yrs, that a law was enacted, preventing companies from firing reservists who get called up...

I remember when working at a nursing home, one of our aides got a phone call at work, that she was being activated, and to get herself and gear together and report in...this happened at the beginning of her shift..one of the lunkhead RNs had a fit, and demanded that she finish her shift...she said of course, you call my unit and explain why you want to try to make me break the law, and explain to the nursing home, why they will be the subject of an inquiry and possible lawsuit...

Needless to say, the RN shut up and let her go, as legally she had to do...

Even, if it wasnt against the law to give away the jobs of reservists who are called up, its just plain tacky, and in my mind, unpatriotic....a company willing to allow a person to go to war and protect this nation, but unwilling to give that person their job back, is a company unworthy of having my business....

[Warrior Nurse]

No more Mullah, Manfried and Jaques

[farmfriend]

Never shop there anyway.

[Centurion2000]

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.

Manny Moe and Jack are going to be replaced by these military guys when the federal government gets through with them.

I'm not a big fan of job protections, but our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines deserve nothing less than our TOTAL SUPPORT when called to duty