VA Downgrades Stopped as Vets Speak Out

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Just weeks after hundreds of VA employees took to the streets to demand an end to “unfounded and arbitrary downgrades” for low-wage employees at the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) (Vets Protest Downgrades at VHA, UC 6/14/2012), the VA announced a decision to halt the downgrades. AFGE, representing workers at the VA, said the downgrades were targeting the lowest-paid workers, many of whom are women, minorities, and veterans themselves. “We’ve known from the very beginning that these downgrades are a complete disservice to our public servants and our nation’s veterans,” said AFGE President John Gage. “The bullying of the lowest wage earners under the pretense of saving a few dollars must end.” “Our efforts have led to this move by the VA” added AFGE Secretary-Treasurer J. David Cox, “and we won’t stop here!” - photo of AFGE rally against downgrades on 6/13/2012 by Chris Garlock