NFFE internal news
May 15, 2024
Earlier this month, the House Veterans Affairs Committee approved H.R. 6538, the VA Proper Pay Act, by voice vote. The bill would allow federal unions like NFFE to file grievances on behalf of Veterans Affairs health care workers for pay errors and underpayments.
“For decades, VA employees classified under Title 38 have had no recourse if their wages were impacted by errors in the agency’s payroll processing,” said NFFE President Randy Erwin. “This means that dedicated registered nurses, physicians, physician assistants, dentists and other professionals are at risk of unfair loss of wages through no fault of their own and with no ability to recover their lost wages.”
The VA Fair Compensation Act would amend existing law so that Title 38 employees will have the right to collectively bargain when they experience an underpayment or other compensation error, just as other VA employees currently do. This technical amendment to the law will increase transparency at the VA, which is crucial at a time when the agency is struggling to recruit and retain medical staff.
“Every VA employee deserves fair pay for the incredible work they do caring for America’s veterans,” Erwin continued. The VA Fair Compensation Act is a simple but necessary solution to this problem. NFFE congratulates Chairman Bost and Ranking Member Takano for their leadership on this issue, and we look forward to seeing the bill passed in the House of Representatives and sent to the Senate as soon as possible.”