Labor Department Affirms Job Rights Of Alaskans Recalled For Guard Duty

Sep. 16, 2004
No. 05-12

JUNEAU – Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Greg O’Claray reminds employers in the state that National Guard members have a legal right to get their jobs back after they have been recalled for active duty assignments.

The state labor department Employment Security Division is responsible for protecting state reemployment rights of National Guard members employed by private and public companies upon their return from being called up for state service.

The federal government has similar protections for National Guard members and reservists called up for federal service. The federal government has activated thousands of men and women for active duty during the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, including the recent activation of Alaska Army National Guard members.

Governor Frank Murkowski said, “Alaska leads much of the nation in per-capita numbers of active-duty military, reserve, National Guard and veterans. Our policy and support for the military services is clear.

“Every member of the military community has our total support and commitment. We will safeguard their rights including being able to return to their previous employment.”

Commissioner Greg O’Claray said the employment security division has received calls from Alaska National Guard members. “They want to make sure they’ll get their jobs back after they complete active duty.”

O’Claray added, “When a guard member is released from active-duty state service he or she is entitled to return to a former job or a comparable position at the same employer, pay level, seniority and benefits.

Alaska National Guard members working in the private sector with questions about their state service reemployment rights may contact Veterans Employment Program Coordinator Kyle Taylor in Juneau at 907.465.5953. Information also is available online

Members of the military services or employers with questions about reemployment rights resulting from federal service under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) should contact Helen Soergel-Nelson at 907.465.2723.

Media inquiries about federal reemployment issues should be directed to Jeannine Lupton at the U.S. Department of Labor in Seattle at 206.553.7620.

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News Media Contacts:
Thomas W. Nelson, Director, DOLWD Employment Security Division, 907.465.2712 or
Joe Holbert, Special Assistant/Communications, 907.465.5673

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