Ohio House and Senate Democrats Condemn Decision to Terminate VA Union Contracts

Today, Senate Democratic Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood), joined by members of the Ohio House and Senate Democratic caucuses, sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary, Doug Collins, denouncing the Department’s decision to terminate collective bargaining agreements with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and other unions representing VA workers.

“Cuyahoga County is home to the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, which is one of the most vital VA facilities in the nation, serving thousands of veterans every year,” reads the letter. “The hardworking nurses, doctors, maintenance staff, and caregivers—many of whom are proud union members—are the backbone of this institution. Gutting their collective bargaining rights under the guise of ‘improving service’ is not only dishonest, but profoundly reckless.”

“This decision by the Department of Veteran Affairs is unconscionable,” Antonio added. “The Department sends a clear message by terminating their union contracts: Sit down and shut up, or we will make you pay. This is a knife in the back of every union and frontline worker at Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center and other VA facilities across the country.”

Ohio House and Senate Democrats join Congresswoman Shontel Brown (D-Cleveland) in calling for the immediate and full reinstatement of collective bargaining rights for VA employees.

The full letter can be found here.