GILROY
– City Council has conceptually approved a new military leave
benefits policy that would offer long-term differential pay and
benefits to reservists called up for active duty.
GILROY – City Council has conceptually approved a new military leave benefits policy that would offer long-term differential pay and benefits to reservists called up for active duty.
Council voted unanimously Monday to approve in concept a proposed policy that will offer up to one year of differential pay between a reservist’s city salary and military salary. The city would also continue to extend health, dental and employee assistance benefits during that time if necessary.
The city’s current policy provides mandatory benefits required by state and federal law, including 30 days paid military leave per year – with benefits – and unpaid time off to attend training drills.
“I believe that in times like this, in this type of situation it’s certainly nice to make sure that families are taken care of …” said Councilman Al Pinheiro. “It’s a limited amount of people this touches, but to them it is a very important part of their life.”
In the near term, the policy targets Gilroy Police Officer Justin Matsuhara, who city officials said received initial orders last week to report to duty for 30 days and has reportedly shipped off to San Diego.
He is expected to receive additional orders that could remain in effect for one year and could be extended an additional year.
“We’re working out a framework of a program relatively quickly to address this one employee on active duty,” said LeeAnn McPhillips, the city’s human resources director. The city will then approach other bargaining groups with the policy.
The city has at least one other employee in the military reserves, but they have not received orders at this point, McPhillips said.
City officials estimate the cost to provide the salary differential payments to the officer for one year at $38,571. Matsuhara has said he will not require health benefits.
The cost of hiring a police officer for one year is estimated at roughly $93,400, including benefits.
The new policy is similar to one offered by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority to agency staff called up as a result of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The policy was brought to Council by Mayor Tom Springer, a VTA board member.
