APPLETON, Wis. (November 18, 2010) – Pierce Manufacturing, an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) company, in conjunction with the Wisconsin Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced that Pierce Manufacturing today signed a Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve.
“We are proud to sign the Statement of Support to affirm our advocacy for Pierce employees in the Guard and Reserve,” said Jim Johnson, President of Pierce Manufacturing. “Pierce stands proudly with its employees in the Guard and Reserve. We know that we enjoy our freedom because of the sacrifices of all members of the Armed Forces, and we honor them.”
Three Pierce employees who are members of the Wisconsin National Guard and Reserve attended the signing: 1LT Aaron Ferge, Bravo Battery 1-120th FA; PFC Ken Behrent, 229th Engineers; and SGT Bryan Waters, Echo Company 132nd.
The Statement of Support confirms that Pierce Manufacturing joins other employers in pledging to:
• fully recognize, honor and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA);
• ensure that its managers and supervisors have the tools needed to effectively manage those employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve; and
• continually recognize and support the country’s service members and their families in peace, in crises and in war.
“Supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s National Guard and Reserve units,” said LeRoy Frahm, Ombudsman of the Wisconsin Committee for ESGR. “I am asking all Wisconsin employers to review and amend their current human resources policies to ensure compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act.”
Pierce Manufacturing will post a framed Statement of Support in its headquarters as well as its other facilities located in Wisconsin.
About ESGR
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972. The mission of ESGR is to gain and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service by recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of the law, and resolving conflicts through informal mediation. ESGR volunteers provide free education, consultation and, if necessary, mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees.
As the 1.3 million members of the Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions that require extraordinary actions on the part of everyday citizens, ESGR will continue to be the informational agency for their employers. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.org, or by calling Doris Schmidt, Administrative Support Technician of the Wisconsin ESGR Committee at 608-242-3729.
About Pierce Manufacturing
Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] company, is the leading North American manufacturer of custom fire apparatus. Products include custom and commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, minipumpers, elliptical tankers, and homeland security apparatus. In addition, Pierce designs its own foam systems and was the first company to introduce frontal airbags and the Side Roll Protection system to fire apparatus. To learn more about Pierce, visit www.piercemfg.com
About Oshkosh Corporation
Oshkosh Corporation is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty access equipment, commercial, fire & emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh Corporation manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh®, JLG®, Pierce®,McNeilus®, Medtec®, Jerr-Dan®, Oshkosh Specialty Vehicles, Frontline™, SMIT™, CON-E-CO®, London® and IMT®. Oshkosh products are valued worldwide in businesses where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and long-term value are paramount. For more information, visit www.oshkoshcorporation.com.
