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We honor our troops by easing family concerns
As vice mayor of the City of Phoenix, I am continually impressed with the dedication of city of Phoenix employees, specifically those who serve their country as well as the city. As we honor the troops who traveled overseas protecting our freedoms here at home, I am proud that the city of Phoenix has upheld its duty of easing their family members' concerns.
City employees who are called to active duty from Military Reserves or National Guard are entitled to an array of benefits in accordance with state and federal law. The city recognizes the financial hardship that some employees and their families face when called to active military status and helps to ensure that they will be taken care of by continuing to pay their salary when military pay is lower. This is just one way we can honor them, and as a member of the Public Safety Subcommittee, I am proud to have supported this policy.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, 73 city employees have been called up and 43 have been deployed to the Middle East. The highest number of calls to active duty has come from the Police Department, but employees also have been called up from the Fire, Water Services, Public Works, Neighborhood Services, Parks and Recreation, Development Services, Street Transportation and Civic Plaza departments. Each of these departments has offered support and assistance to these employees and their families, in addition to the benefits and support provided by the city.
For example, the Personnel Department has set up a brown bag lunch session to encourage discussion amongst those with military experience or have family members involved with the military. These lunches give employees an opportunity to talk with folks about their concerns, problems and fears. Additionally, the Water Services Department has used its newsletter to ask employees to identify military personnel overseas who would like to receive written or e-mail from the public.
It is difficult sometimes for those of us here at home to go about our normal daily lives when we may have friends or family overseas in a dangerous environment. I am pleased that the city's Personnel Department has recognized the sensitivity of this matter and is working on other ways that employees can communicate their support for employees and those brave people involved in the war. There are a variety of ways to say we care for our city's employees and their families. This policy helps to protect the financial security of the families of military personnel, helps the morale of the employees who stay at home, and, most importantly, it is simply the right thing to do.
If you have any questions about the city's military leave policy, call 602- 262-7278. As always, if you have comments or questions, please feel free to call me anytime at 602-262-7491 or send e-mail to greg.stanton@phoenix.gov.
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