(The following appeared on the Daily Nonpareil website on December 27, 2009 12:22 AM CST
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — The Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve has honored Council Bluffs resident Sue Wimmer with one of its highest awards for her work with military employees. Wimmer, assistant director-protection management for Union Pacific Railroad, was honored by Employment Support of the Guard & Reserve for her long-term outstanding support of Union Pacific’s employees who serve in the National Guard or Reserve forces.
The Employment Support of the Guard & Reserve is a Department of Defense agency that promotes understanding and communication between companies and their employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve forces. Each state has its own volunteer-based committee that visits military units and civilian companies, reviewing basic laws protecting service members and their employers, especially during long-term military deployments.
Wimmer works directly with employees and their families to administer pay and benefits available under the railroad’s Reservist policy. Union Pacific compensates any difference between military and railroad pay for employees called to duty. The railroad’s health plans also continue to cover the employees’ dependents for the duration of duty, with some exceptions.
Wimmer previously had received numerous ESGR “My Boss is a Patriot” awards, presented after military employees nominate a co-worker for outstanding support.
On Sept. 17, the Nebraska ESGR committee honored her with the prestigious “Seven Seals” award, given only to individuals who go far beyond the norm to support their military employees.
The award includes the service seals of the seven Reserve forces: Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Marine Reserve and Navy Reserve. Union Pacific’s military employees serve in all seven Reserve forces.
Union Pacific has employees serving in all seven Reserve forces.
“Sue is well-known throughout the company for her efforts to support Union Pacific’s military employees,” said John Bryan, ESGR program support specialist for Nebraska. “She has been recognized countless times by employees who have been mobilized and deployed.”
“Sue has received more individual ESGR awards that anyone else in Nebraska,” said Bill Nelson, program support specialist and committee executive director.
Union Pacific also received the Freedom Award, the U.S. Government’s highest recognition of corporations who go above and beyond expectations while supporting their military employees.
“Some outstanding U.S. companies do far more for their military employees than the law requires,” Bryan said. “Union Pacific is one of those companies, and Sue Wimmer is one of those people.”