Management

Biden Signals He Wants to Expand VA's Footprint, Misses Deadline to Nominate Commissioners to Review It

White House is pushing big investment in veterans' medical facilities as commission initially designed to recommend consolidations takes shape.

Management

House Panel Advances Legislation to Expand VA Medical Employee Bargaining Rights

The VA Employee Fairness Act would grant medical professionals the right to bargain over scheduling and official time, and to file grievances over pay disputes.

Workforce

VA Seeks 125% Increase in Diversity and Inclusion Counselors

Lawmakers, stakeholders note that the Veterans Affairs Department has a long way to go to ensure equity in its workforce, particularly within senior executive ranks.

Workforce

VA Suicide Prevention Teams Report Burnout as Department Fails to Ensure Proper Staffing

VA and Congress are doing more to identify vets at risk for suicide, but not keeping pace with staffing.

Management

VA Rolls Back Trump-era Workforce Policies

The Veterans Affairs Department is restoring its previous contract with AFGE, which allows access to official time and union office space in department facilities.

Management

VA Is at a Crossroads As It Kicks Off BRAC-Style Review of Medical Facilities

A commission could soon recommend closures of VA medical facilities, or call for more of them.

Management

Democrats Push to Grant VA Medical Professionals Full Union Rights

Federal law currently prevents Veterans Affairs Department medical workers from bargaining over matters related to patient care and clinical competence, although much is at the discretion of the VA secretary.

Management

House Overwhelmingly Backs Expanding Who VA Vaccinates

Lawmakers look to further leverage the Veterans Affairs Department's successful vaccine rollout.

Workforce

VA Touts Lower Employee COVID-19 Infection Rates, Improved PPE Supply

Officials praise VA workforce's resiliency as widespread vaccination leads to far fewer employees missing work.

Management

Reflections on Public Service During a Pandemic

A conversation with Paul Lawrence, the former Under Secretary for Benefits at the Veterans Affairs Department.

Management

Union: VA Continues Stonewalling Contract Negotiations Despite Biden Order

In the two weeks since President Biden signed an executive order instructing agencies to work collaboratively with labor groups, the VA has continued Trump-era tactics against its largest union, AFGE says.

Management

Biden's VA Pick Says He Can 'Unstick Problems' Within the Bureaucracy

Denis McDonough pledges to continue the status quo on private sector health care and provide more resources for VA employees.

Workforce

VA Expands Vaccination to Some Non-Health Care Staff as Postal Workers Face Uncertainty

Agencies have started vaccinations for more than 1 million people, but many federal workers have not received clear guidance.

Workforce

VA Is Increasingly Leaning on Contract Nurses as COVID-19 Cases Surge

Employees lament staffing shortages even as VA has brought on 66,000 new workers since the novel coronavirus pandemic began.

Management

VA Flags Potential Staffing, Resource Hurdles in Vaccine Distribution

The department will start with a small distribution of doses, but expects a series of hurdles in inoculating its entire workforce and network.