Wednesday March 28 Oregonians learned that the city of Salem Oregon and the Salem Fire Department settled an employment discrimination claims following a civil rights investigation launched by the Oregon Department of Justice. Complaints by Oregon firefighters and guardsmen alleged discrimination and retaliation in violation of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and state laws, which prohibits discrimination against service persons who to participate in military trainings and deployments.
The retaliatory claims alleged that the Salem entities refused to cooperate with National Guard scheduling and improperly terminated some servicemen during probationary service. The settlement requires Salem and the Salem Fire Department to change their treatment of service persons engaged in military training or deployments.
U.S. District Court Judge Michael Hogan will monitor to ensure settlement compliance. Judge Hogan retains authority to require additional money damages if necessary.
