The employees are represented by the American Federation of Government Employees Local 85. The local union’s president, Jennifer Gum, told Leavenworth Times concerns among employees include staffing vacancies, among other issues.
“They need to staff the VA,” she told the publication. “We want to take care of our vets.”
In the report, VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System spokesperson Joseph Burks said the system, which also includes Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center in Topeka, Kan., and nine community-based outpatient clinics in eastern Kansas and northwest Missouri, has more than 1,730 employees and 400 vacancies.
He told Leavenworth Times efforts are being made to fill more than 300 of the vacancies.
In addition to staffing, post traumatic stress disorder training for VA employees was also brought up. Ms. Gum in the report cited what she deems as a lack of this training, while Mr. Burks told Leavenworth Times that implementing PTSD training for VA employees would involve a decision from the federal government.
More articles on human capital and risk:
Study shows wellness program boosted average worker productivity by more than 5%
Arkansas Children’s Northwest to hire 250 by January
Florida healthcare companies to participate in job fair
