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An auxiliary Highland Park (MI) firefighter who missed out on a full-time job and better pay and benefits while he served with the Army Reserves in Afghanistan will get a $25,000 settlement from the city.
Paul Baetz, 35, told the Detroit Free Press (http://on.freep.com/xsuy3l) that the city administration has guaranteed his job while he is serving another tour of duty in Afghanistan.
The case was settled under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, which aims to protect military personnel from being shortchanged on their civilian jobs. Baetz was hired as auxiliary firefighter in 2003. Although auxiliary firefighters perform similar functions as full-time members, they aren't represented by the union and don't get the same overtime pay or benefits.
While Baezt was deployed from 2008 to 2009, three firefighters with less seniority than him were promoted to full-time positions.
Read more about the case and settlement at http://on.freep.com/xsuy3l.
For more on legal issues affecting firefighters, visit our Legal section HERE.
