ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense operational committee, announced that Scott Davis, UPS Chairman and CEO, will sign a Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve on February 12, 2013. Davis will sign the pledge in a ceremony at 10:00 a.m. in the UPS Corporate Offices in Atlanta, Ga. and will be joined by ESGR National Chair James Rebholz, Lt. Gen. James Jackson, commander of the Air Force Reserve Command, and Maj. Gen. Jim Butterworth, The Adjutant General of Georgia.
In 1996, the year the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award was created, UPS's Central Florida District was one of five employers to receive the award. In 2002, the entire UPS enterprise was honored with the Freedom Award, the nation's highest recognition for employers supporting National Guard and Reserve members. UPS reports that veterans, Guardsmen and Reservists make up 7.5 percent of its global workforce and the company showed a 35 percent increase in veteran hires over the previous year.
The Statement of Support confirms UPS’s pledge to:
- Fully recognize, honor and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).
- Ensure managers and supervisors have the tools they need to effectively manage those employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
- Appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce and encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists and Veterans.
- Continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families in peace, in crises and in war.
"Supportive employers like UPS are critical to maintaining the readiness and strength of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units and allow Guardsmen and Reservists the opportunity to serve our country more effectively and with greater peace of mind," said James Rebholz, ESGR National Chair. "By signing this Statement of Support, UPS sends a clear message they stand committed to their military employees and recognize the integrity, global perspective and proven leadership they bring to the workplace.
“UPS is committed to the mission of serving those who serve us all,” said Scott Davis, UPS Chairman and CEO. “At UPS, we rely on former and current members of the National Guard and Reserves to bring valuable skills and experience to our company and the communities we serve – skills and experience that enable UPS to help keep the wheels of commerce in motion for our nation and the rest of the world.”
About UPS
UPS (NYSE: UPS) is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions including the transportation of packages and freight; the facilitation of international trade, and the deployment of advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. Headquartered in Atlanta, UPS serves more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. The company can be found on the Web at UPS.com and its corporate blog can be found at blog.ups.com. To get UPS news direct, visit pressroom.ups.com/RSS.
More information about UPS’s involvement with ESGR can be obtained by contacting Andy McGowan, UPS Public Relations Director, at (404) 828-7123, or by email at amcgowan@ups.com.
About ESGR
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972 to develop and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service. ESGR advocates relevant initiatives, recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of applicable laws, and resolves conflict between service members and employers. Paramount to ESGR's mission is encouraging the employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce.
More information about ESGR Employer Outreach is available at www.ESGR.mil or by contacting Tom Bullock, Chief, Employer Outreach, at (571) 372-0709, or by email at tom.bullock@osd.mil.