PG&E Corporation recognized for "above
and beyond" leave policies and a history of support
for National Guard and Reserve employees
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - At a ceremony today at the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C., the U.S. Department
of Defense's Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
(ESGR) presented PG&E Corporation with a 2003
National Freedom Award. Given annually, the award
recognizes employers who demonstrate exceptional
support of employee members of the Guard and Reserve.
PG&E Corporation
is the winner of the western regional Freedom Award,
joining four other winners representing other parts
of the country. The awards were presented by Deputy
Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz.
"This award is an honor for our company and a tribute
to the men and women who volunteer to put their lives
on the line through their service in our armed forces,"
said PG&E Corporation Chairman, CEO and President
Robert D. Glynn, Jr. "We continue to be grateful for
their extraordinary commitment and actions and look
forward to the safe return of all of our deployed reservists
and their fellow soldiers."
Glynn also joined President Bush at the White House
today for the signing of proclamations declaring the
week of November 17 to November 23, 2003, as Employer
Support of the Guard and Reserve Week.
The ESGR selected PG&E Corporation for the National
Freedom Award in light of the Corporation's historic
support of Guard Members and Reservists throughout the
last century and the steadfast commitment the company
shows today.
In World War I, 606 PG&E employees -- more than
10 percent of Pacific Gas and Electric Company's employees
– served in the military or in the Red Cross. In World
War II, one-sixth of the utility's men and women served
in the armed forces, a total of 2,700 in all. The company
made and kept the promise to re-hire all of its returning
citizen soldiers.
The Corporation's support of its employee Guard Members
and Reservists continues to this day through its policies
and strong commitment at the highest levels of the company.
After September 11, 2001, PG&E Corporation activated
an emergency military leave policy so that Guard Members
and Reservists deployed under executive orders would
receive the difference between military pay and regular
salary, along with the full range of benefits for themselves
and their dependents. Based on the status of current
U.S. military operations and workforce need, PG&E
Corporation has kept the policy in effect.
During this time, 29 PG&E Corporation employees
have served in support of military and peacekeeping
operations around the world. Presently, 11 PG&E
Corporation employees remain on active duty.
Reservists include front-line soldiers such as U.S.
Air Force Master Sergeant Richard Stockand, who recently
returned from active duty. "I have personally operated
in several theaters, for long hours, under adverse conditions,
knowing that my employer is standing behind me," said
Master Sergeant Stockand. "Without that support, the
volunteer spirit would diminish. I can only say that
personnel programs like the ones offered by PG&E
Corporation have made several military operations successful."
The ESGR is an agency within the Office of the Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs. It was established
in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between
reservists and their civilian employers and to assist
in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's
military commitment. Regional Employer Support Freedom
Awards are selected annually by an Awards Board of nearly
100 ESGR members.