Washington D.C. — Veterans and Unions demonstrated on Tuesday September 23rd concerning cuts to veteran services. This large event took place outside the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) headquarters.
“If they are willing to attack union rights for veterans, where will it stop? That’s why I’m here today, because this fight isn’t just about me, or the veterans I work with every day, or even about my union. It’s about the promise this country makes to all who serve, and to every worker who gives their best,” said Michael Phibbs, a veteran, member of SEIU Local 200United, and an employee at the VA Hospital in Albany.
Veterans rights groups joined the demonstration, including Common Defense and VoteVets, demanding the administration cease the relentless attacks on veterans, ensure safe staffing, and restore VA workers’ unions and their ability to bargain for working conditions that deliver quality healthcare for veterans.
“We must be sure that every employee feels safe, that they feel respected,that they are free to exercise their constitutional right to free speech. This is not just about veterans rights – it’s about veterans’ care,” said AFGE President Everett Kelley. “We served our country, and now we’re going to ask our country to stand with us.”
After the rally, AFGE President Everett Kelley and veterans marched to the doors of the VA Headquarters to hand-deliver the petition signed by over 10,000 people – including nearly 2,000 veterans – to Secretary Collins.
Workers and leaders from the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), National Nurses United (NNU), the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM), the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) as well as Common Defense and VoteVets participated in Tuesday’s rally and petition delivery.
