WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) has voiced his support for the VA Employee Fairness Act, a bill aimed at granting full collective bargaining rights to healthcare professionals employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The legislation seeks to address staffing shortages and improve working conditions that impact the care provided to America’s veterans.
The VA Employee Fairness Act, introduced by Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and co-led by Representative Mark Takano (D-CA-39), targets existing restrictions under Section 7422 of Title 38 of the U.S. Code. These restrictions prevent VA healthcare professionals, such as nurses and physicians, from negotiating on critical issues like patient care, workplace safety, and scheduling. The proposed legislation would expand those rights, granting healthcare workers a greater voice in addressing conditions that directly affect their ability to provide quality care to veterans.
“If you care about veterans, you must take care of the people who treat and keep them healthy,” said Senator Fetterman during the bill’s announcement. “We should expand collective bargaining rights at the VA to include registered nurses, doctors, and other healthcare providers. This bill gives VA health workers a seat at the negotiating table, to advocate for safe staffing levels, fair schedules, and the resources they need to keep our veterans alive and well.”
Addressing Staffing Challenges and Declining Morale
The legislation comes at a critical time for the VA workforce, which has faced significant challenges due to staffing shortages and declining employee morale. Pennsylvania, home to nearly 800,000 veterans, relies on VA facilities in cities like Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Erie, Wilkes-Barre, and Lebanon to provide essential healthcare services. However, recent cuts and layoffs have only compounded the strain on these facilities, leaving fewer staff to meet the growing demand for care.
Senator Duckworth described the urgency of empowering VA healthcare personnel to raise concerns and advocate for improvements. “This Administration cannot continue to slash and burn the VA in the dark,” said Duckworth. “It’s as urgent as ever that Congress empowers VA health care professionals with the same bargaining rights and protections as other federal employees so they can speak out freely against any problems or challenges they’re enduring at this critical time for the VA.”
Broad Bipartisan Support for the Proposal
The VA Employee Fairness Act has garnered widespread support in Congress, with Fetterman joining other senators and representatives to back the effort. Among its Senate co-sponsors are Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Brian Schatz (D-HI). Additional support in the House has come from an extensive group of lawmakers, led by Representative Takano.
The legislation is heavily endorsed by national organizations such as National Nurses United, the American Federation of Government Employees, and the AFL-CIO’s Union Veterans Council. Advocates highlight the bill’s potential to improve both employee conditions and the quality of care provided at VA facilities.
“By granting VA nurses the ability to bargain collectively on issues related to patient care, the VA Employee Fairness Act would make the VA a safer place both for nurses and our veterans,” said Irma Westmoreland, RN, chair of Veterans Affairs for National Nurses United.
Looking Ahead
The VA Employee Fairness Act represents a pivotal step in strengthening the VA workforce by addressing systemic challenges and empowering healthcare professionals to advocate for better conditions. With bipartisan support and endorsements from leading labor organizations, the bill underscores the importance of prioritizing veterans’ healthcare by investing in those who provide it.
Senator Fetterman emphasized the broader implications of this effort. “This legislation is more critical than ever,” he said. “It’s about protecting the rights of healthcare professionals, improving care for veterans, and ensuring these crucial services remain effective for years to come.”
If enacted, the VA Employee Fairness Act could significantly aid in recruiting and retaining healthcare staff, ultimately benefiting the millions of veterans who rely on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for care. The bill serves as a forward-looking plan to strengthen the VA system and reaffirm the nation’s commitment to those who have served.
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