Perspective: Federal union reaches accord with VA, but Social Security fight lingers
VA Secretary Denis McDonough to issue a notice that repudiates “surface bargaining and bad faith bargaining.”
McDonough called the tentative agreement “a great step forward,” adding “a unionized VA workforce is a strong VA workforce, and we are proud to work with AFGE to continue delivering world-class care and benefits to Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors.”At Social Security, labor relations still are hung over from the anti-union days of the Trump administration.
Social Security beneficiaries will increase by 25 percent this year, while staffing is at a 25-year low, Jessica LaPointe, AFGE Council 220 president, told reporters this week, citing government data. The result:• Almost half the inquiries to call centers go unanswered. Telework “was not one of the articles that we mutually agreed to renegotiate,” Social Security said in an emailed response. Acting Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi “has made hiring a critical focus for the entire agency,” according to the agency. “We need to have sufficient staff to handle our growing workloads and reduce backlogs.”But the agency received only 55 percent of its requested budget increase and much of that goes to fixed cost, according to Social Security.
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