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VA UNION FILES NATIONAL GRIEVANCE SEEKING BACK
PAY
FOR VETERANS SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES -- AFGE
says
VA employees forced to work overtime without
compensation.
This came to me via email from AFGE
headquarters.
Story below:
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 14, 2007
AFGE FILES NATIONAL GRIEVANCE SEEKING BACK PAY
FOR VETERANS SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES
EMPLOYEES FORCED TO WORK OVERTIME WITHOUT COMPENSATION
WASHINGTON—The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which
represents 150,000 employees in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA),
is seeking back pay for VA employees who have been wrongfully denied
overtime compensation. AFGE filed the national grievance on behalf of
Veterans Service Representatives (VSRs) at Veterans Benefits
Administration (VBA) offices nationwide who were forced to work
overtime, but denied compensation for it.
“The Agency is using existing employees to meet the burden of getting
additional claims addressed,” said AFGE Assistant General Counsel
Jacqueline Sims. “These employees are working to ensure our nation’s
veterans get the benefits they deserve, yet they are not receiving
anything in return for their hard work and dedication.”
AFGE contends that the VA had knowledge that the overtime was being
worked by the VSRs and that the unpaid overtime work was being done for
the benefit of the Agency. AFGE has also been informed that overtime pay
for VSRs is covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and that
federal employees who are covered by the FLSA are considered “nonexempt”
and must be compensated for overtime work in accordance with the FLSA.
“This is just another example of poor management at the VA,” said AFGE
National President John Gage. “We will not stand by while the Agency
keeps money from employees who rightfully earned it. This national
grievance sends a clear message that employee rights will not be
overlooked in the workplace.”
AFGE is asking VA management to immediately discontinue violation of
this law and move forward with all procedures related to back pay,
interest, liquidated damages and attorney fees for VSRs denied
compensation for overtime worked.
AFGE’s priorities for the VA are aimed at ensuring adequate resources
for employees and quality health care services for veterans. The Union
continues to work with Congress in several areas including budget,
bargaining rights, job competitions, business process reengineering,
safety standards, training, nurse and doctor pay, and Saturday premium
pay.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest
federal employee union, representing 600,000 workers in the federal
government and the government of the District of Columbia.
www.afge.org
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Larry Scott --
