Weekly Information Round Up for Veterans Administration Employees

By Maya Diaz

Fellow SEIU HCII Department of Veterans Affairs Union Members,

At the final hour a continuing resolution was passed that averted a government shut down last Friday.  There are still a lot of unknows concerning the cuts that will be made between now and July.  Some cuts will come through acts of Congress and others will be made by the VA Central Office.  CLICK HERE to read about possible federal employee benefit cuts in reconciliation.

Cuts made by the VA Central Office will be announced shortly.  Federal Agencies were required to submit plans last week and agencies will start to slowly roll out announcements concerning Reduction in Force.  We will be meeting with medical directors as more information is available and to ensure that members rights are protected in the RIF. 

📢 Join us next Friday, March 28th, for a rally and press conference at Hines VA Medical Center:  Local and time TBD. Stand with us in defending veterans and the workers that provide essential services to them!  Please contact LeChrisha Pearson at 872-329-4140 for more information.

📞 Take Action Now! Call your legislators at 1-866-426-2631 and demand they say NO to cuts to Medicaid and the VA! Every call makes a difference.

📝 Sign the Petition → CLICK HERE to sign our petition and demand that these harmful cuts are stopped. 

📢 CLICK HERE to join other Federal Employee Workers through the Federalist Union Network

Keep reading →

REGISTER: March Tele-Town Hall

There will be no VA membership meeting next week! Instead, join our March tele-town hall to hear about our staffing campaign and get federal updates.

  • March Tele-Town Hall: Thursday, March 20 at 7pm CST → CLICK HERE to register.

KEEP READING: VA REMINDERS & UPDATES

Remember the following as plans around the RIF are announced:

  • Print and makes copies of your OPF, SF50, Performance Records, pay and leave statements.
  • If probationary, confirm the type and length of your probationary period.
  • If you are a service connected Veteran ensure that your Veteran Preference for RIF is reflected on your SF50 (question 26).

Remember, if you are a Remote Worker, please ensure the following:

  • Review your Telework Agreement.  If you are Virtual, AdHoc or have a Reasonable Accommodation the Return to Office does not apply to you.
  • If you would like to obtain an AdHoc Agreement start the process with your supervisor now. If you are in need of a Reasonable Accommodation start the process now. 
  • No Telework Agreement will be terminated until space (in compliance with privacy and work needs) at a VA property is found. 
  • If space is not found, extensions will be provided for Remote workers. 

If you are an illegally terminated federal worker, here are your options: 

  • You have access to COBRA for up to 18 months. This gives you access to pay the full premiums for your current health insurance.
  • If you are married to another federal employee, they can add you to their insurance.
  • Life Insurance coverage continues for 31 days.
  • You have the right to file for unemployment in the state that you currently reside.
  • You might not have rights under our contract to grieve as a probationary employee but here are your options for appeal:
  • Print and makes copies of your OPF, SF50, Performance Records, pay and leave statements.
  • Confirm the type and length of your probationary period.

DON’T FORGET!

The administration is going to make it more difficult for us to be in touch with our union members. Click the link the share your updated contact information.

→ CLICK HERE to share your updated contact information. 

We need to ensure our membership stays strong. Share the online membership card below with your coworkers to help them become a part of the union. 

 → CLICK HERE to access the online membership card.

Thanks for staying updated. Our fight continues. As always, email me with any questions: Anne.Igoe@seiuhcil.org.

In solidarity,

Anne Igoe, Vice President and Director for Health Systems

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