Slocum v. Iola, USERRA Violation, Kansas 2008

KANSAS CITY, KAN. - In a shocking case of employment discrimination, Randall A. Slocum, an Air Force Reservist, was allegedly subjected to unjustified discipline and denied a wage increase by the city of Iola, Kan.

According to a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan., in December 2008, the city of Iola violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) by taking into consideration Slocum’s military service obligations when it disciplined him.

USERRA, enacted in 1994, was designed to protect service members from being disadvantaged in their civilian careers due to serving in the uniformed services. Among other things, USERRA prohibits employers from discriminating against service members because of their military service obligations.

The complaint, filed on behalf of Slocum by the U.S. government, alleged that the city of Iola discriminated against him based on his military service. The lawsuit sought compensation for back wages, liquidated damages, and the wage increase the city denied him.

Under the terms of the settlement, the city of Iola is required to pay Slocum back wages, liquidated damages, and to provide him the wage increase the city denied him based on his military service. The settlement also requires the city to correct its employment records to remove references of Slocum’s unjustified discipline based on military service.

“The settlement reached today continues this nation’s commitment to service members who sacrifice to serve this country. The agreement demonstrates that reservists should be allowed to serve without fear of being penalized in their civilian careers,” said Loretta King, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.

The city of Iola, Kan. is the defendant in this case. The exact criminal charges are USERRA Violation (Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994). The city and state are Iola, Kan. The exact date of the crime is December 2008. The outcome of the case is a settlement requiring the city to pay back wages, liquidated damages, and provide a wage increase to Slocum.

The city of Iola is required to pay Slocum back wages, liquidated damages, and provide him the wage increase the city denied him based on his military service. The total amount of back wages and liquidated damages was not specified in the press release.

The city of Iola has agreed to correct its employment records to remove references of Slocum’s unjustified discipline based on military service.

The U.S. government filed the lawsuit after receiving Slocum’s complaint from the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service of the Department of Labor, upon completion of its investigation and settlement efforts.

The Civil Rights Division places a high priority on the enforcement of service members’ rights under USERRA. Additional information about USERRA can be found on the [www.servicemembers.gov](http://www.servicemembers.gov) website and on the [www.dol.gov/vets/programs/userra/main.htm](http://www.dol.gov/vets/programs/userra/main.htm) website.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-department-settles-lawsuit-behalf-kansas-air-force-reservist