The American Federation of Teachers joins with the other Employer Associations, Unions, Fortune 500 Corporations and thousands of America’s employers in pledging:  

• To fully recognize, honor and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA). 
• To assure that America’s cities and towns will have the tools they need to effectively manage city employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
• To continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families in peace, in crises and in war.  

“This is the right thing to do and the right time to do it” said McGinnis.  “I am asking all educational employers to re-affirm that their current human resource policies are a leading example of compliance with the spirit and the letter of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).”

 The American Federation of Teachers is joining a growing cadre of Fortune 500 corporations, state and federal agencies, unions, employer associations and hundreds of thousands of American employers who have pledged support for our troops.  A Statement of Support serves two very vital functions:  First, it publicly demonstrates the strong level of support for our Guard and Reserve, which is important during this critical time.  Secondly, it sends a clear message to the service members that while they’re serving their country, they do not have to worry about their civilian jobs,” added McGinnis.

“This is really our honor,” Weingarten said as she signed the Statement of Support on behalf of the AFT. “It is my pleasure to make this commitment to our colleagues” who are serving in National Guard and Reserve units.

“We always believe that part of our union’s core mission is the valuing and protection of democracy.” Weingarten added. “The first responsibility of teachers and all of us is support for the duties of citizenship.”

The AFT represents more than 1.4 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators.

 
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972. The mission of ESGR is to gain and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service by recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of the law, and resolving conflicts through mediation. ESGR volunteers provide free education, consultation, and if necessary mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees.

As the 1.3 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions that require extraordinary actions on the part of everyday citizens, ESGR will continue to be the informational agency for the employers of citizen warriors. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil or by contactin Tom Bullock at 703-696-1386 or Tom.Bullock@osd.mil