QUALITY & INTEGRITY

Millwork

Mouldings

Industrial components

Gulf Reservists Law

With reserves being called for service in the Persian Gulf, emPloYers need to be informed on reemPloYment rights.

Governed by the Veteran's Reemployment Rights Act, certain specific statutory rights are granted to reservists who enter active dutY either voluntarily or involuntarily.

A returning reservist has a right to his former position with the same seniority, status and pay if he is still qualified to do it and applies for reemployment within 90 days after being discharged or within 3l daYs after training of l2 weeks or more or active duty of no more than 90 daYs. If he is unable to perform his former duties because of a disability sustained during service, but is qualified to perform the duties of another position, he must be reemPloYed.

To be eligible for reemPloYment, a reservist called up for less than 12 weeks must report to work on the first work day after the last day needed to travel from the training place to the emploYment Place or within a reasonable time if the delay is beyond his control.

Returning reservists are to be treated as ifthey have been on leave of absence. If the employer does not maintain health insurance coverage for those on leave of absence, he is not required to do so for a reservist on active duty. However, since it is possible that the employee will have difficulty reinstating company provided health insurance, it is recommended that if the employer does not pay for it, he stronglY suggest that the reservist continue to pay the premium,

If an employer generallY does not pay those on extended leaves of absence, he is not required to do so for the reservist on active dutY. A returning reservist who has been on duty for l2 weeks or more cannot be discharged except for cause for six months after his return.

Big W Buys Fire Retardant

Weyerhaeuser has acquired exclusive U.S. distribution rights for Pyrotite, a fire-retardant laminate, from Barrier TechnologY Inc., Vancouver, B.C.

Applied as a coating to wood, the inorganic ceramic based laminate becomes a barrier between the wood and any fire to which it is subjected.

The laminate contains 500/o water and releases steam to resist the fire as heat builds up.

After approval by the Building Officials & Code Administrators International, Weyerhaeuser expects to begin marketing Pyrotite-coated plywood this year.

lst Rules Meethrg In 20 Yearc

The National Grading Rule Committee will meet for the first time in 20 years to finetune certain standards for dimension lumber.

The Feb. l3-14 oPen meeting in Dallas, Tx., will tackle several issues, including general housecleaning, methods in measuring knots and clarification of terms such as "wane" and "unsound wood," said committee secretarY Tom Searles. Terminology in related rules was questioned in a recent lawsuit in Canada.

The group last met in 1970, though it has since taken numerous actions by mail. "The needs of the industry change and some things are easier to resolve in Person," said Searles.