State ex rel. Department of Veterans' Affairs v. City of Salem

As authorized by ORS 406.050(3)① the director of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs has brought this appeal from a decision of the circuit court denying Mr. Willis R. Owen, a “returning veteran,” back pay allegedly owed by the city of Salem due to its failure to reemploy him at the proper “salary step.”

Mr. Owen was hired by the city as a fire fighter on August 1, 1967, and was placed on regular status at a “Step 2” pay grade following the successful completion of a six-month probation. On February 9, 1968 he enlisted in the United States Navy and obtained a military leave of absence from the…