A proposal brought to the City Council this week would pay city workers employed in the military the salary differential between their city and military jobs.

The proposal, also endorsed by City Council President Paul Van Rooy, will be examined by the Madison Board of Estimates Monday night and, if approved, sent to the City Council for review.

"It's the right thing to do," Ald. Judy Compton, District 16, said. "I think it's horrible that we don't do it already."

Compton added the state and county already pay differential allowances for state and county workers who serve time in the military.

In addition to the pay differential, eligible workers would also receive vacation time and sick leave during deployment and upon returning. The proposal would also allow workers to use a month of vacation time before returning to their city jobs.

"I think it's only right that they get compensation for it," Van Rooy said. "People who are serving in the military are giving up something and making a sacrifice for the country."

Compton said she would be answering questions from the Madison Board of Estimates — the city's financial oversight committee — when the proposal is brought before the Board Monday.

While the proposal has not gained a lot of attention from council members, Van Rooy expects it to pass through the oversight committee with little opposition.

"I don't have a good reason to argue against it," Van Rooy said. "I don't know what position they'd take."

If passed by the City Council, the proposal would apply to just two city employees at this time.

After talking with local military organizations, Van Rooy said the proposal has been well received.

"They're obviously supportive of it and they'd like to see it happen," he said. "When they serve in the military, they aren't making as much as they would on their job."

Wisconsin National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Tim Donovan agreed with Van Rooy and said the proposal is "very helpful."

"We're in a time when thousands of guards from all over the country are being ordered to active duty and are being deployed into places all over the world to support the United States military operations," he said. "It's helpful that these service members can serve if they don't suffer any financial hardships."

Donovan remarked many state businesses are already offering such provisions and, if approved, the provision will add great value to the city of Madison.

Currently, Alliant Energy, American Family Insurance and Oscar Mayer offer differential pay for their respective employees who serve in the military.

Donovan said the difference in pay between a city position and a military position varies from case to case.

"Depending on how much pay they receive, it is affected by years of service and military rank," he said. "In some cases it may not have any effect, and in others it may have a significant effect."

Compton said approving the proposal should not be a question to the council.

"The city is the only governmental body that does not require such pay," she added. "It's a proposal that would be fair to these employees."