The Department of Labor and the Department of Justice have signed an agreement
for streamlining enforcement of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment
Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA).
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Download NowCongress passed USERRA to safeguard the employment rights and benefits of service
members upon their return to civilian life.
"Our military men and women have been there for us, so now it's our turn
to step up our efforts for them," says U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao.
"This agreement will strengthen enforcement of USERRA by ensuring faster
resolution of USERRA cases and quicker enforcement action by the government
when it is necessary."
The agreement, called called a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), deals exclusively
with each department's roles and responsibilities in the enforcement of USERRA
by delegating the Department of Labor's USERRA responsibilities to the Veterans'
Employment and Training Service (VETS) and Office of the Solicitor and by delegating
the attorney general's USERRA responsibilities to the Civil Rights Division
of the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorneys office. USERRA will now
be enforced by the Civil Rights Division along with other employment-related
civil rights statutes.
Last week, the Department of Labor last proposed new
regulations defining employer and employee rights and responsibilities under
USERRA.