The Department of Veterans announced the frustration of more than 1,000 employees on Thursday following the recent call from the Trump administration to reduce the size of the federal workforce.
Virginia said the move would save the department more than $98 million a year, allowing them to use those resources for veterans’ health care, benefits and services.
These efforts are part of VA’s plan to refocus on its core mission: Provide the best care and benefits for veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors, according to a statement from Virginia.
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Metal plaque on the exterior wall of Veterans Affairs Building in Washington, DC (Robert Alexander/Getty Image)
“In Virginia, we focus on saving money so we can spend better on the care of veterans. We thank these employees for serving Virginia. It was a tough decision, but ultimately, it was better to support it Veterans, the right call for families. “The existence of caregivers and survivors,” said Virginia Secretary Doug Collins. ”
Virginia says they currently have more than 43,000 probation employees in the department, although the vast majority of these employees are exempt from personnel actions due to mission-critical positions.
US President Donald Trump’s veterans secretary nominee Doug Collins, former representative of Doug Collins. (Reuters/Evelyn Hawkstan)
For probation workers’ decisions, their work usually comes from the Office of Personnel Management.
Those exempted also play a role in providing support and services to VA beneficiaries, or are covered by collective bargaining agreements.
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“To be clear: these moves will not negatively affect VA healthcare, benefits or beneficiaries. In the coming weeks and months, VA will announce plans to put these resources into practice to help veterans, Their family, caregivers and survivors,” Collins said.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Headquarters saw Wednesday, May 28, 2014 in Washington, DC (Matt McClain/Washington Post via Getty Images)
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The firing is effective immediately under the VA and the employee has been notified.
Other measures have been taken to ensure that VA services are not affected and that representatives in each chain of command can claim exemption.
