Latest news with #VeteransAdministration
Axios
4 days ago
- Business
- Axios
The latest White House strike in the war against veterans
The Veterans Administration has terminated the union rights of hundreds of thousands of its employees — even as the Trump administration had instructed agencies to hold off on such a step. Why it matters: The White House crackdown on the federal workforce, begun under DOGE, isn't letting up, and, in particular, it's impacting veterans, who make up a disproportionate share of the federal workforce. The VA is the first agency to formally terminate union contracts, the agreements between workers and management that guarantee certain benefits and rights in the workplace. Catch up quick: A White House order this spring that stripped federal workers' bargaining rights was challenged in court by the unions. The administration issued guidance instructing agencies not to cancel any contracts until the case was final. A recent appeals court ruling, in Trump's favor, specifically noted that this guidance was in place — and would reduce any potential harm to the unions that could happen while the litigation plays out. Where it stands: Despite that, VA notified its unions on Wednesday that their contracts were terminated. Around 400,000 VA workers across several unions would be affected. "VA can manage its staff according to veterans' needs, not union demands," the agency said in a press release. Between the lines: The Trump EO ending unions said the move was for national security reasons. Yet, the VA on Wednesday exempted from its action the very workers who would seem to work on security issues. The agency's firefighters, police officers and security guards didn't have their union contracts canceled. By the numbers: Veterans make-up about a quarter of federal employees — compared with just 5% of the overall workforce — partly a result of specific policies that give them preference in hiring. The VA is the agency with the most veteran employees — about 122,000, per a tally from last year from Pew. That was before the White House firing spree. Layoffs have come for thousands of veterans this year; a precise tally is not yet clear. The number of veterans filing unemployment claims is rising, though the number is still small, per new data from the Labor Department out Thursday. The other side: The White House this year has also taken action to help veterans, including an executive order establishing a center to provide care to homeless veterans. The big picture: Government unions have been a big thorn in the White House's side this year, filing countless lawsuits pushing back on the administration's actions against the federal workforce. What they're saying: The unions said the order would hurt a majority of the VAs workforce, and was retaliation after the union pushed back on an administration effort to shutter rural VA hospitals and clinics, and its opposition to job cuts that it says would "dismantle veteran health care." Zoom in: Stripping union rights from VA employees — particularly within its hospitals — will impact the quality of care veterans receive, says Irma Westmoreland. She chairs the National Nurses United, which represents about 16,000 nurses across 23 facilities. Through their union contracts, nurses have to be included on decisions around staffing to ensure safety for patients. Contracts stipulate that if you move a nurse from one unit to another, they must be qualified in that different specialty. They also protect nurses from retaliation if they speak up about unsafe practices. Now, "we fear they won't be empowered to speak up about conditions that put our patients at risk," says Westmoreland, who is a nurse at a VA hospital in Georgia.
Scoop
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Island Military Veterans Hope For US Action
, Editor, Marshall Islands Journal / RNZ Pacific correspondent United States military veterans in the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and Palau received increased attention during the Biden administration after years of neglect by the US Veterans Administration. That progress came to a halt with the incoming Trump administration in Washington in January, when the new Veterans Administration put many programs on hold. Marshall Islands Foreign Minister and US military veteran Kalani Kaneko said he is hopeful of resuming the momentum for veterans living in the freely associated states. Two key actions during the Biden administration helped to elevate interest in veterans living in the freely associated states: The administration's appointment of a Compact of Free Association (COFA) Committee that included the ambassadors to Washington from the three nations, including Marshall Islands Ambassador Charles Paul, and US Cabinet-level officials. The US Congress passed legislation establishing an advisory committee for the Veterans Administration for Compact veterans. Kalani Kaneko was appointed as chairman to a three-year term, which expires in September. Kaneko said he submitted a report to the Veterans Administration recently on its activities and needs. The Foreign Minister said it is now up to the current administration of the Veterans Administration to take next steps to reappoint members of the advisory committee or to name a new group. Kaneko pointed out that in contrast to its virtually non-existent program in the Marshall Islands, FSM and Palau, the VA's program for veterans is "robust" in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Citizens of the three Compact nations enlist in the U.S. military at higher rates per capita than Americans. But when they leave the service and return home to their islands, they have historically received none of the benefits accorded to US veterans living in the United States. Kaneko and island leaders have been trying to change this by getting the Veterans Administration to provide on-island services and to pay for medical referrals of veterans when locally available medical services are not available. Kaneko said the 134-page report submitted in June contained five major recommendations for improved services for veterans from the US-affiliated islands: Establish a VA clinic in Majuro with an accredited doctor and nurse. Authorise use of the Marshall Islands zip code for US pharmacies to mail medicines to veterans here (a practice that is currently prohibited). If the level of healthcare in Marshall Islands cannot provide a service needed by a veteran, they should be able to be referred to hospitals in other countries. Due to the delays in obtaining appointments at VA hospitals in the US, the report recommends allowing veterans to use the Marshall Islands referral system to the Philippines to access the US Veterans Administration clinic in Manila. Support and prioritize the access of veterans to US Department of Agriculture Rural Development housing loans and grants. Kaneko said he is hopeful of engagement by high-level Veterans Administration officials at an upcoming meeting to review the report and other reports related to services for Compact nation veterans. But, he cautioned, because there is nothing about Compact veterans in President Trump's Big Beautiful Bill passed recently by the US Congress, it means fiscal year 2027 - starting October 1, 2026 - would be the earliest to see any developments for veterans in the islands.
RNZ News
27-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Island military veterans hope for US action
[autho:giff_johnson] During the visit of the USS Cincinnati to Majuro in July, Marshallese veterans were honored with a dinner and program onboard the U.S. Navy vessel. U.S. Ambassador to the Marshall Islands Laura Stone is in the center back row and Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Kalani Kaneko is fourth from right Photo: Wilmer Joel United States military veterans in the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and Palau received increased attention during the Biden administration after years of neglect by the US Veterans Administration. That progress came to a halt with the incoming Trump administration in Washington in January, when the new Veterans Administration put many programs on hold. Marshall Islands Foreign Minister and US military veteran Kalani Kaneko said he is hopeful of resuming the momentum for veterans living in the freely associated states. Two key actions during the Biden administration helped to elevate interest in veterans living in the freely associated states: Kaneko said he submitted a report to the Veterans Administration recently on its activities and needs. The Foreign Minister said it is now up to the current administration of the Veterans Administration to take next steps to reappoint members of the advisory committee or to name a new group. Kaneko pointed out that in contrast to its virtually non-existent program in the Marshall Islands, FSM and Palau, the VA's program for veterans is "robust" in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Citizens of the three Compact nations enlist in the U.S. military at higher rates per capita than Americans. But when they leave the service and return home to their islands, they have historically received none of the benefits accorded to US veterans living in the United States. Kaneko and island leaders have been trying to change this by getting the Veterans Administration to provide on-island services and to pay for medical referrals of veterans when locally available medical services are not available. Kaneko said the 134-page report submitted in June contained five major recommendations for improved services for veterans from the US-affiliated islands: Kaneko said he is hopeful of engagement by high-level Veterans Administration officials at an upcoming meeting to review the report and other reports related to services for Compact nation veterans. But, he cautioned, because there is nothing about Compact veterans in President Trump's Big Beautiful Bill passed recently by the US Congress, it means fiscal year 2027 - starting October 1, 2026 - would be the earliest to see any developments for veterans in the islands.
Miami Herald
18-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Lottery player doesn't believe email about big MD win. Then he gets a letter
When a Maryland man got an email about winning a lottery jackpot, he was skeptical. Junior Egbufoama of Severn ignored the congratulatory message about a prize for the Monopoly second-chance drawing, Maryland Lottery officials said in a July 18 news release. But then came a letter from Maryland Lottery, which included 'his name handwritten on the envelope,' lottery officials said. His skepticism started to subside, and he began 'to think maybe he really had won,' lottery officials said. 'I told my wife, 'Let me check it out and call,'' Egbufoama told lottery officials. Sure enough, lottery officials said they confirmed Egbufoama had won $104,768, leaving him 'all smiles.' Egbufoama recently left his job with the Veterans Administration but credits his time there for the big win, lottery officials said. While he was working there, he said, 'a veteran saw him throwing away non-winning tickets.' 'A veteran told me to scan in those tickets,' Egbufoama told lottery officials. The veteran introduced him to My Lottery Rewards, where he ultimately entered his non-winning Monopoly ticket for a second-chance drawing. 'It still hasn't hit me yet,' Egbufoama said of his big win. He told lottery officials he plans to use his windfall toward his children's college education. Severn is about a 15-mile drive southwest from Baltimore.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alliance for Digital Equity pushes for internet access for underserved on namesake day
SPRINGFIELD — Health care, education, Social Security, the Veterans Administration, job applications and city hall are only a click away. That's if a family has reliable internet access of sufficient speed and capacity to get the job done. 'There are a lot of families that have to go without,' said Rachelle Lee of Springfield on Wednesday. 'If they can't go to the library and get a hot spot, they have difficulty. I think it should be considered a public utility.' Digital literacy classes are also needed, Lee said, so elders and others can use the tools. There are fewer since the Republican-led Congress allowed the $14.2 billion Affordable Connectivity Program to lapse last year. The Biden-era legislation had enrolled 55,000 Western Massachusetts households. Lee is a part of the Connect Hampden County Coalition, part of the Alliance for Digital Equity advocating for proposed Massachusetts digital equity legislation. There were events on Beacon Hill on Wednesday, marking what backers call Digital Equity Day. A standout on the steps of Springfield City Hall was called off because of the extreme heat. A bill pending in the state Legislature would require Massachusetts internet providers to offer a $15-a-month flat-rate high-speed plan to qualifying low-income consumers. It has the backing of co-sponsors state Sens. Adam Gomez, D-Springfield, and Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, and state Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, D-Northampton. Sonia N. Ramos lives in the Library Commons complex in Holyoke and is a digital peer navigator with Way Finders, a nonprofit housing agency and developer that helped organize Digital Equity Day. Ramos recalled when her daughter was in high school during the pandemic: Schools were shut down. Classes went online. But her family had no way to connect. 'Her classes were her future,' Ramos said in a phone call. 'I remember walking the streets, looking for a signal, looking for help.' Alliance for Digital Equity has about 200 members in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire counties, according to a statement. It's housed at Baystate Health. New Valley Bank sues Springfield after eminent domain taking at DPW's landlocked warehouse PVTA extends free bus fares through July, August and September Housing and more: Westmass will take over abandoned Monson Developmental Center Read the original article on MassLive.
