Veterans, Veterans Affairs nurses, unions, and community allies rallied against cuts to healthcare for veterans at the VA today.

Last month, VA Secretary Collins confirmed that the administration will try to cut between 72,000 and 80,000 VA workers and return to 2019 staffing levels. 

But enrollment at the VA is growing. 400,000 more veterans enrolled in the VA from March 2023 to March 2024. 

“Cutting staff down to 2019 levels when we have more veterans to care for is cruel and an extreme disservice to our veterans,” said Joolie Lee, a primary care RN and Army veteran. “We are already short-staffed. More cuts to staff means delays in giving veterans the lifesaving care they need and deserve.” 

“I’m a proud veteran and a Teamster. Many of our Teamster brothers and sisters have served this country,” said TDU member and Local 804 Teamster Basil Darling. “We need to support those who support us at the VA, and stand against these cuts.”

The demonstration also condemned the attacks on federal workers’ union rights, after the presidential administration sought to strip over 1 million federal employees of their collective bargaining rights. VA nurses pointed out that union protections help them speak out about patient safety issues.