Man Who Quit TRW in Dispute Wins Jobless Pay

A test engineer who quit his job at TRW Inc. when he was asked to work on military projects in violation of his religious beliefs is entitled to unemployment benefits, a state appeals board has ruled.

Gary Flomenhoft, 32, a longtime peace activist, left TRW in May, 1985, when his work on a communications tracking satellite ran out and he was offered defense-oriented work. He claimed that he was turned down for several National Aeronautics and Space Administration jobs within the company that would not have conflicted with his beliefs.

The state Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board initially denied his claim, contending that he had failed to cite any organized religion as a basis for refusing military contract work. The American Civil Liberties Union sued on his behalf and the board reversed its earlier decision on the advice of the state attorney general’s office.

Flomenhoft will receive an estimated $1,000 in back benefits.