The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against United Airlines for allegedly denying a Colorado Air National Guard major employment benefits during his military service.
The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Denver, alleges that United violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 by under-compensating TenEyck LaTourrette’s pension.
LaTourrette has been a pilot for United since 1998 , and is a first officer.
The Justice Department contends United based its pension contributions on a minimum monthly schedule, rather than using LaTourrette’s actual schedule during the 12 months preceding his military obligations, as required by by law.
Since most pilots work beyond a minimum schedule, United’s actions resulted in an underpayment to LaTourrette and other military reservists’ pensions until United changed its policy to comply with the law in November 2010 .
“This nation depends upon our reservists to faithfully carry out their military obligations. No members of our armed forces should ever be penalized for answering the call of duty,” said Thomas Perez , assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s civil rights division.
John Walsh , U.S. attorney for Colorado, said in a statement, “We ask the men and women of our armed forces to fight for our country’s freedom and to be willing to risk their lives for that cause. When they return home they should not have to fight to be properly compensated.”
Ann Schrader: 303-954-1967 or aschrader@denverpost.com
