Initiative for hiring military spouses gaining support

Only days after the Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce held a summit to increase hiring for military spouses, support has been pouring in, officials say.

The chamber is working to raise awareness of the difficulties spouses of active military and reserves have in finding employment. To do that, it has created the Snohomish County Military Family Friendly Employment Partnership Initiative, which urges local businesses to sign a nonbinding agreement to hire military family members.

The chamber hopes to reach more than 30,000 businesses in Snohomish County. Many city and county business offices already have agreed to include information on the project with license-renewal notices. Others want the chamber to make a presentation to their governing bodies.

"Every city that was represented at the summit called within 24 hours saying they wanted more information," said chamber President Caldie Rogers. "This response is everything we hoped for and more."

The key to reaching businesses will be through the city and county offices as well as the local chambers, Rogers said. But support from school districts also will help.

Arlington School District Superintendent Linda Byrnes said last week she wants her district to sign the agreement, and she plans to raise the issue with the county's other superintendents.

"I'm so sorry that people have encountered such a bias," she said. "One of the best teachers I ever had was the wife of an Air Force veteran."

The Marysville-Tulalip chamber also is looking for financial support to print materials associated with the initiative. Rogers said Friday that the cities of Everett and Marysville have offered printing support.

Military officials say they are excited about the project, and several spoke openly of hiring biases and how drawing awareness to the problem will benefit the entire community.

"I've seen situations where spouses and other family members had difficulties in finding employment," said Navy Rear Adm. Robert Passmore. "But this is good for business, good for the community and good for the country."

It's difficult for military members to be prepared for an assignment if they're worried about the financial stability of their family, Passmore said. Local hiring creates a bond between the military and the community and allows service members to be ready for active duty.

While federal law prohibits hiring discrimination against military members, the law doesn't include family members. Rogers said the office of U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., is seeking ways to amend the law. The Department of Defense also has told the chamber office it is watching the Snohomish County program, and if successful, it wants to replicate the idea nationally where bases are found.

For Marci Miller, vice president of Horizon Bank's Marysville branch, it only took hearing that such a problem existed for her to want to help. The bank, along with Snohomish County's Costco and Best Buy sites, were among the first to sign the hiring agreement.

"I just hadn't realized it was an issue," she said. "I don't expect any reservations from local businesses once they hear about the problem."

Christopher Schwarzen: 425-783-0577 or cschwarzen@seattletimes.com