Less than Truckload Road Haulage Freight Operator Honoured for National Guard Employment Commitment

US – Con-way Freight, a less than truckload (LTL) road haulage operator and subsidiary of Con-way Inc., has been honoured with the prestigious Pro Patria Award, presented to its service centre in Manchester, New Hampshire, by the New Hampshire Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense office. The accolade is the highest-level award bestowed by a state ESGR committee. According to the ESGR, recipients provide the ‘greatest support to Guard and Reserve employees through their leadership and practices’.

ESGR’s Pro Patria Award is presented by each ESGR state committee to one small, one large and one public sector employer in their state or territory. The Pro Patria Award was created by ESGR and the Department of Defense to publicly recognise employers that believe in a strong National Guard and Reserve and demonstrate that resolve through their actions. Ernie Bullock, manager of the Con-way Freight service centre in Manchester said:

“The team of employees we have at Con-way Freight has been unwavering in their support of our women and men in the Armed Forces. It is a tremendous source of pride that we ‘walk the walk’ when it comes to supporting our employees who endure great sacrifice to serve our country and protect our freedoms.”

The company was nominated for the award by John ‘Pat’ Petrillo, a driver sales representative at the Manchester service centre. Petrillo is a member of the New Hampshire Army National Guard and has served on deployment with Alpha Company of the 3643rd Brigade Support Battalion, where he holds the rank of sergeant. Dave Quinn, State Chairman of the New Hampshire Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, commented:

"We are extremely fortunate to have a very supportive employer community in the state and Con-way Freight epitomises that support. The Pro Patria Award is the highest award that we can bestow at the state level and is indicative of their sustained support for our Guard and Reserve warriors over an extended period of time. Con-way Freight is richly deserving in receiving it.”

In 2012, Con-way Freight’s service centre in Manchester also was the recipient of ESGR’s Seven Seals Award and Patriot Award. Con-way Inc. is a previous recipient of the Patriot Award as well as the Freedom Award, the highest recognition given by the US government to employers committed to employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

Con-way offers its employee/soldiers pay differentials and uninterrupted health benefits for their families during the first year of deployment. Over the last six years, the company has paid more than $1.1 million in differential compensation to its deployed citizen/soldiers. The company’s human resources representatives maintain contact with soldiers’ families to ensure they understand all available benefits, while employee volunteers also provide outreach to families, assisting them with everyday challenges such as home maintenance, auto repairs and snow removal. For employees on active duty, the company sends care packages full of items like soap, shampoo and magazines.

Upon return from active duty, employees are reinstated to the same or equal job, pay and grade level. If an employee needs to move for a returning job, the company pays relocation expenses. To help employees readjust to civilian duty, Con-way’s Employee Assistance Program provides access to counselling through the company’s health benefit plans. Today, Con-way employs nearly 2,700 military service veterans, including members of the National Guard and Reserves.

In other news, last month saw Con-way commit $8 million to building a new 47,000 square foot freight service centre at Fond du Lac in Wisconsin. The project will commence this month and be completed in March 2014, creating fifty additional jobs as the smaller service centre operations in Fond du Lac, Sheboygan and Neenah are consolidated into the new facility. Con-way also intends to increase the number of trucks at the hub from eighteen to fifty.