Matrix Absence Management
 

Anyone heard of these guys? They are taking over (effective immediately via surprise bulletin) the management of Alaska Airline's military leave program. They require last 4 and DoB and orders to generate an approval message to the company. Union seems to have been left out of this decision.

Per federal law, you can depart on leave < 30 days by notifying your employer. The law and precedent allows said notification to be in almost any manner (verbal, written, email, voice mail) and you do not need to apply for (or wait for) company approval. Their ONLY recourse is to call your CO.

For over 30 days, they are entitled to a copy of your orders as well.

I just make sure that I can trace my notification, if it's a rush job I dispense with leave applications faxed in triplicate and just use DoD email (cc my ISIC).

If they want to play games and try to throw up intimidating barriers, let them. But don't let it prevent you from doing any mil duty that you want/need to.

They are wrong and I'm fairly certain this is illegal. What do they ask for when you pull AFTPs or UTAs, where there are no orders?

I send the Chief Pilot (cc: crew scheduling) a memo, from my FLT/CC, that states the days I'll be on mil leave. But all you really have to do is verbally notify the company.

If they continue to press the issue I would inform your FLT/CC, and talk with a USERRA lawyer. The union would really have nothing to do with this...it's Federal Law.

Get all the facts 100% straight, then call the ESGR. They will contact your company directly and aid in correcting any procedures that are not IAW USERRA. Just google ESGR.