Pep Boys Retains Outside Counsel To Counter False Information
PHILADELPHIA--March 20, 2003--The Pep Boys - Manny, Moe & Jack , the nation's leading full-service automotive aftermarket chain responds to recent false representations and statements that have been made in the media regarding the termination of Erik Balodis, a former employee.There is absolutely no truth to the claim that Pep Boys terminated Mr. Balodis' employment because of his military obligations. To the contrary, Mr. Balodis' employment was terminated due to performance problems, which Pep Boys could no longer ignore.
Pep Boys is proud of its unblemished record of support of its employees who have served or are currently serving this country in its armed forces. At present, at least 30 Pep Boys employees have been called to serve the country in the war with Iraq. Pep Boys stands by its record of support for its employee servicemen and servicewoman and so do the Company's associates:
| -- | Armando Lopez, who manages Pep Boys' Pico store in Los Angeles, California, worked for Pep Boys since January 24, 1999, was activated October 4, 2001, reported to duty on October 11, 2001 and returned to work on September 20, 2002. In accordance with Pep Boys' military leave policies, he was immediately reinstated to his prior position as a store manager. According to Mr. Lopez, "My district manager gave me a lot of support. It was like I never left." |
| -- | John Medina, who has been an assistant manager for Pep Boys for two years in Houston, has been on various military deployments while serving as a Marine Corps Reservist for two and a half years. Mr. Medina was also immediately reinstated to his previous position with Pep Boys upon his return from active duty. According to Mr. Medina, "During my deployment, my wife was relocated from Dallas to Houston and Pep Boys restored me to my same position at a Pep Boys store in Houston." |
| -- | Desert Storm veteran and Pep Boys Master Technician, Tony DiCicco, who works at Pep Boys' Glassboro, New Jersey location, has been a Marine Corps Reservist for seventeen years. He began at Pep Boys seven years ago and has remained in his current position with Pep Boys throughout various calls to active duty. According to Mr. DiCicco, "Pep Boys has been extremely supportive of my military activities." |
The aforementioned are but a few of Pep Boys associates who proudly serve the country while remaining gainfully employed with the Company. Recent false reports in the media do those associates and Pep Boys a great disservice.
There is no doubt, Pep Boys would never terminate an employee for military service in support of this nation. Anyone who would accuse the Company of such conduct would do so only for improvident monetary gain.
Pep Boys intends to hold those in the media who have falsely accused the Company of such a deed accountable and they will face the legal consequences of such conduct as Pep Boys has retained the law firm of Sprague & Sprague to defend the good name that it has built and maintained over the last eighty-two years.
Pep Boys operates 629 stores and over 6,500 service bays in 36 states and Puerto Rico. Along with its "do-it-yourself" and vehicle repair and maintenance capabilities, the company also services the commercial auto parts delivery market and is one of the leading sellers of replacement tires in the United States.
Customers can find the nearest location by calling 1-800-PEP BOYS or by visiting pepboys.com.
