BUREAU OF VETERANS' REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS The Bureau of Veterans' Reemployment Rights assisted thousands of ex-servicemen, reservists, National Guardsmen, employers, and unions during the fiscal year in connection with their reemployment rights problems. New and strengthening amendments to the reemployment rights provisions of the Universal Military Training and Service Act went into effect September 10, 1960. These amendments, contained in Public Law 86-632, were approved by the Congress to improve the reemployment rights of reservists, National Guardsmen, and rejectees. Specifically, the amendments: (a) equalize the reemployment rights of members of the National Guard who perform initial periods of 3 to 6 months' active duty for training with those granted reservists performing similar training duty (prior to Public Law 86-632, guardsmen had lesser rights under the law); (b) extend reemployment protection to reservists and guardsmen who are disabled while on training duty to the extent that they cannot perform the duties of their former positions; (c) provide that reservists, guardsmen, and rejectees shall be reinstated with the seniority, status, pay, and vacation they would have had if they had not been absent for training duty; and (d) protect the reemployment rights of reservists, guardsmen, and rejectees who are hospitalized incident to training duty or rejection. The amendments further provide that reservists and guardsmen performing annual training, weekly drills, and other types of training duty, and rejectees, must request a leave of absence from their employers, and the employer must grant such leave. The application period for these trainees was reduced from 30 days to the next regularly scheduled work period after their return from such training. The application period for persons performing initial 3 to 6 months' active duty for training was also reduced from 60 days to 31 days. From late spring through early summer, the Bureau conducted an extensive publicity program to alert those covered by the new amendments to the requirements imposed on them. The campaign was conducted through national and local news services, radio, and television. The Defense Department, each branch of the armed services, the Ready Reserve, National Guard, and Selective Service System cooperated closely in an information program. By publicizing the requirements of the new amendments, the Bureau was able to avert many disputes which might have arisen as a esult of misunderstandings. 221 The close cooperation between the Bureau and the Department of Defense continued during the year, with all branches of the Armed Forces publishing regulations putting into effect the changes required under the reemployment rights amendments. The program by which ex-servicemen are provided an opportunity to inquire into their specific reemployment rights at the time of separation from the military services was continued and improved upon by each of the services. Approximately 265,000 requests for information and assistance were received by the Bureau during fiscal 1961. Prompt and detailed attention to these inquiries contributed to a greater understanding of the reemployment statutes and thus reduced the areas of possible misunderstanding that generally result in disputes between employee and employer. When such disputes did occur, the Bureau continued to stress an amicable settlement through roundtable discussions with all of the interested parties. As a result, of the approximately 52,000 problems and 8,362 cases handled during the year, it was necessary to refer only 67 cases to the Department of Justice for litigation. |