Federal Employment rights...

[kscronk512]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? New York

My situation is a complicated one and I've been told many times I have legal rights. I'm trying to figure out what exactly my legal rights are and if I should go the legal route. Here is my story:

I applied for a job at an Army Arsenal in my area. I've been applying for almost a year to different jobs that I knew I was capable of doing based on my expeirence. I finally landed an interview. I went through the interivew and was offered the position the next day. The Chief who interviewed me, is the one who choose me for the position. I was in contact with an HR representative to complete all my pre-employment paperwork, fingerprints, security clearance and a physical. The following week, I went in and completed all required documents, passed the physical, got the fingerprinting done and went home and completed the online paperwork as instructed. When I met with the HR woman that same morning, I asked her point blank if it was okay to give my two week notice to my current employer. She said absolutely and gave me my start date. I asked her twice durring our meeting to which she told me it was safe to do so. I give my notice to my current employer.

I was suppose to begin work at the Federal Arsenal on August 30th (Monday), the Thursday before August 30th, I recieved a call telling me they had to rescind the offer due to Veteran Status and there was nothing they could do. I already completed my two weeks at my current job and was waiting to begin the job at the Arsenal.

My buddy who works at the Arsenal, went to the HR office and spoke to the woman who rescinded my offer. He was told point blank it was someone's son who came home from Iraq and needed a job. He was not even on the list of candidates until AFTER I was choosen for the position.

So basically, I am now unemployed as my previous employer already hired someone to fill my position and the HR department (which is a company that is not governed by the Arsenal or Army) told me there was nothing they could do. The Union President at the Arsenal tried to fight them on it, but dropped the case because I was technically not apart of the Union yet as I had not began working. I had recieved advice to contact our Congressmen, which I did. He put in a request with the Dept of Army to investigate the situation. In the meantime, I am unemployed, cannot recieve unemployment benefits all because someone in HR decided they wanted to give someone else the position, after I was already hired.

My question is, what is the legality of the situation? I know what they did is wrong and unethical and I feel someone should be held responsible as they have put myself and my family in such a hardship. I have ALL the correspondence in writing. I really just want a job, an equivalent position within the Arsenal. Everyone keeps telling me to contact a lawyer but I honestly do not have the money at this point to pay for a consultation. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.