Active Duty Employees to Receive Full Compensation

Mayor Thomas Koch has issued an executive order guaranteeing that City workers who are called to active duty in the military receive full benefits while serving overseas.

"We have many employees - especially our police and firefighters - who make great sacrifices to serve our country, and their families should not be hurt financially because of that service," Koch said. "We are committed to doing our part to protect our active-duty servicemen and women."

The order, variations of which have been issued by previous administrations, means that City employees called overseas will be compensated by the City for any difference between their regular salary and military pay. Employees will maintain all insurance coverage as well, the order states.

Since the September 11 attacks and the beginning the war in Afghanistan in 2002, more than two dozen City employees have been called to active duty overseas, and a number of have been called to duy more than once, officials said.

To be covered by the order, employees must show documentation of their service and they must show that their military salary is less than the City compensation.

"This is something that is small from a spending perspective, but it can make a big difference to our men and women who serve overseas and their families," Koch said. "Quincy has always stood together with its veterans, and I hope this will be another example."