VA WORKERS RALLY TO PROTECT FEDERAL WORKERS AND VETERANS!
VA Weekly Update 5/13/25
Fellow SEIU HCII Department of Veterans Affairs Union Members,
This past Saturday, our VA members rallied at Hines to tell Secretary of the VA Doug Collins HANDS OFF our VA! We are holding Secretary Collins accountable for his broken promises and attacks on VA employees, including veterans, and demanding that he use his power to actually stand up for the workers he said he would serve!
SEIU HCII Executive Vice President Erica Bland and VA member Curtis Burch both spoke at the rally, alongside Senator Dick Durbin, Congressman Chuy Garcia, and speakers from NNU, AFGE, and veterans organizations.
We are fighting for our workers and veterans, and the world is listening: part of Curtis Burch’s powerful remarks were featured on WGN’s nightly news, alongside comments from Vice President and Health Systems Director Anne Igoe.
Want to get involved in the fight? Join us on May 22 in Springfield as we lobby for increased revenue.
Thursday May 22 will be a union-wide Lobby Day, with workers from all of our divisions rallying in Springfield to support a slate of revenue proposals to make sure that the state can fund necessary programs, including quality healthcare for all Illinoisans.
Our targets are large corporations and the ultra-wealthy, who have gotten away too long with putting the onus of taxes on the working classes’ back. These proposals would increase taxes on giant corporations like Amazon, target billionaires’ money that is going largely untaxed, and close loopholes that the rich use to get away with not paying their fair share.
Join us on May 22 to lobby for equitable revenue policies that prioritize working people- not billionaires.
SIGN UP FOR EZ DUES TODAY!
Reminder that our VA members can now sign up to pay dues using our new EZ Dues payment link!
Trump tried to weaken our union when he took away paycheck dues payments. But we refuse to let anyone take away our union! Sign up now, and keep an eye out for more information on this convenient new dues payment system!
UPCOMING VA MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
There will be no VA membership meeting this week. Instead, we invite you to join us for our monthly Health Systems Tele-Town Hall Huddle, which is happening this Thursday, May 15!
This month’s TTH Huddle will include discussions on our fights for revenue, safety net hospital funding, and Medicaid, as well as updates on our campaign to protect VA workers from federal attacks.
Join us this Thursday, May 15, to ask questions, discuss updates, and connect with members across our Health Systems division!
You can ALSO join us next week at our VA membership meeting for a Tele-Town Hall focused on fighting back against republicans in congress like Congressman Mike Bost and Secretary Doug Collins.
Join us as we discuss the roles of Bost, Collins, and other republicans in the attack on federal workers, and learn about our strategies to fight back to protect workers and veterans!
Keep Reading: VA Reminders and Updates
Remember the following as the EO concerning rights to collectively bargaining is working through the courts:
- As of right now SEIU Healthcare IL/IN is still the exclusive collective bargaining for non-professionals title 5 and hybrid 38 employees at the VA.
- The agency still has the obligation to negotiate changes in working conditions, including Return to Office and the Reduction in Force
- When this EO is implemented there will be additional changes at the VA specifically around how you pay dues. Be on the look out for a new direct join link so your dues can be transferred over.
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:
- All illegally terminated probationary employees should have been returned back to work or placed on administrative leave
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.
FILL OUT AN ADO TAG!
Help us fight for safer working conditions! If you’ve experienced short staffing or unsafe conditions, let us know. Fill out an ADO Tag and submit it to your organizer OR click the button below to fill out our online form.
→ CLICK HERE to Complete Our Online ADO Form
You can also print out our Assignment Despite Objection Form to report your short staffing experience
→ CLICK HERE to access the printable form!
FIGHT BACK NOW!
📞 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.
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