Layoffs discussed at Salem VA's quarterly meeting
With more employees laid off across the VA nationwide, officials took questions from people in attendance at their facility. Executive Director of healthcare Rebecca Stackhouse confirmed employees had been laid off in Salem, but did not hint to how many.
She also said the decision to cut employees was out of their control, and the people who lost their jobs were probationary workers and did not provide direct care to patients.
It was something nobody at the VA wanted to happen.
'You never want to lose employees, and you never want to have staff turnover that is not up to the employee, who is not making that choice,' Stackhouse said. 'It was challenging for us to navigate.'
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Even though people there complimented the Salem VA for its work, some were still not happy with what officials had to say.
'It's not a good business plan to cut your employees when you've increased the number of vets that are coming in, and that need these special programs under the Pact Act,' Bridget Kelley, a protestor in support of veterans, said. 'I think that's bad business.'
Stackhouse said it's unclear how many more employees at Salem could be affected, but wanted to reassure the people there that they are committed to giving veterans the best healthcare they can.
'We have the best staff,' Stackhouse said. 'We have the most dedicated, mission-focused staff that I've had the pleasure of being able to work with.'
Stackhouse also said some of the employees have picked up additional work amid the layoffs to make sure service remains uninterrupted.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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