Deluzio Statement on Trump VA’s Union Busting, Privatization Scheme

CARNEGIE, PA — Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17), a Navy and Iraq War veteran, released the following statement in response to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ attempt to terminate the collective bargaining agreements and rights of most unionized VA employees:  

“The Trump Administration is continuing its mission to dismantle, weaken, and ultimately privatize the VA. 

“Union busting the hardworking men and women at the VA—many of whom are veterans themselves—is all part of their plan to make it easier to fire VA workers so that they can keep privatizing and outsourcing care. 

“We know that privatized care has far worse care coordination for veterans, less oversight for dangerous opioid prescriptions, and is ballooning in cost while delivering worse results for veterans. 

“We veterans have earned a fully staffed and resourced VA. 

“If Donald Trump wants to shirk paying the cost of war and gut and privatize the VA, he better get ready to deal with some angry veterans who don't take kindly to a draft dodger screwing them over." 

###