Being an employee of the Utah Transit Authority for some time now, I shudder when I read the letters being published by the so-called "experts" on John Pingree's management style. There has been so much said about how great he is and how he has helped the communities served by the Transit Authority. I would like to give you a different point of view.
As a mechanic employed by UTA and a member of the Utah National Guard, I was not surprised that I was called to serve my country during the Persian Gulf War. What I was surprised by was the treatment I received at the hands of my employer.When I received my orders to report for active duty, I contacted the UTA Human Resources Department and was told that I would have to resign my position.
After trying to point out to these people that requiring me to resign was illegal, I was asked to sign a leave of absence application that said: UTA would reimburse me for the difference between my military rate of pay and my regular rate of pay for a maximum of 15 days per calendar year; I would be required to pay all monthly premiums to keep my UTA health insurance coverage in effect for myself and my family; if I didn't return to my employment at UTA within 180 days, my employment would be terminated.
During the month of January 1991, I found myself in the position of leaving my family and my home to fight for my country. In addition, I had to worry about how my family was going to maintain in my absence with reduced income and no health insurance. I also faced the threat of being fired if, for some reason, the war didn't end within the time limit specified by UTA. Can you imagine being fired for defending your country?
Before I left for the Middle East I was able to contact the judge advocate for the Utah National Guard. By late January, the judge advocate had contacted Mr. Pingree who, after suffering the embarrassment at being caught doing something illegal, sent a letter to all UTA employees trying to convince them he really wasn't doing anything wrong.
It seems that Mr. Pingree finally got the message, you can't treat military personnel that way.
I am proud of the fact that I could serve my country during the Persian Gulf War; however, I am still upset at the treatment I received at the hands of UTA while trying to do so.
Wayne Sterling
Bennion