Military duty calls Maine workers

Employers in Maine are scrambling to fill shifts as members of the reserves and National Guard report for active duty.

Some employers are offering overtime pay and juggling schedules to adjust. Small businesses and the self-employed often face the greatest challenges.

John Stevens, president of New England Truck Co., based in Scarborough, has been running up his cell phone bill since being called to duty with the Coast Guard.

“If I were running this show all by myself, I’d really be antsy,” Stevens said. “Fortunately, I have two partners I can fall back on. There is some cost in me being called, though.”

Charles Jarrett, Westbrook’s sole fire inspector, started worrying about his job soon after he learned he would likely be called to active duty in the Air National Guard.

Jarrett knew no one could step into his position right away because his training and experience are specialized. Also, the city had no extended-leave policy for reservists.

Jarrett also considers himself fortunate.

“We’ve had several discussions with the city when I’m called, about what they would do to back-fill my job – what I’d be able to work and how I could work in a reduced role,” Jarrett said.

Westbrook Police Chief Steve Roberts has juggled schedules for patrol shifts since Officer Allen LeBlanc was called to duty Sept. 11. Another officer who works the same shifts is on standby.

“We knew when we hired the officers that quite a few are ex-military people,” Stevens said. “The people in the public safety business are people who take pride in their country and wanted to do something for the public good.”

There are 35 reservists employed at Maine Medical Center in Portland, according to Paula Squires, vice president of human resources. Two are on active duty and 16 are on standby.

The hospital has a six-month policy for those called to active duty. It also will make up the difference in pay for reservists.

“We don’t want them to worry about paying the bills while they are serving their country,” Squires said.

People who are self-employed or work on commission have the hardest time, according to Lt. Col. Gary Cyr of the Employees Support of the Guard and Reserve.

“We have people who run construction companies and they are called to duty,” Cyr said. “Their equipment is idling and they are paying big money for rent.”

Cyr’s agency mediates conflicts between workers and employers and educates employers about federal law, which says employees are entitled to their jobs following a leave of absence.

The agency also recognizes companies that make up the difference in pay for their employees.

Military pay for reservists and guardsmen varies, but is often substantially less than what people earn in their civilian jobs.