AFGE Files with Office of Special Counsel for Whistleblower Protection for Wilmington VA Member

WASHINGTON, April 17, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) recently filed with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) for whistleblower protection for AFGE VA Local 342 member Dr. Michelle Washington. Washington, a post-traumatic stress disorder specialist with the Wilmington Veterans Affairs Medical Center, has faced retaliatory measures at the hands of VA management steaming from her Senate testimony in November 2011.

"We have asked OSC to investigate this matter because many AFGE members express concern for retaliation should they assist the union in providing testimony to Congress regarding whistleblower type activity," said AFGE Assistant General Counsel J. Ward Morrow. "Dr. Washington's case is a clear example of whistleblower violations and prohibited personnel practices by facility and regional management."

On the eve of her Senate testimony on understaffing and improper accounting measures regarding PTSD treatment of veterans, Dr. Washington had her personnel evaluation changed and lowered. Thereafter, had her duties radically changed and veterans have had to travel much further for PTSD evaluations. Additionally, her fellow union members have faced other adverse actions as part of what appears to be a coordinated pattern of retaliation for bringing to light mismanagement at the VA.

"The regional director for the Delaware facility, Michael Moreland, has what appears to be a long history of anti-union activity and retaliation for disclosures of mismanagement. He, along with other officials responsible for these unlawful acts, must be held accountable for their actions," said Morrow.

OSC will likely decide this week if they will take up the case.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 625,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia. For the latest AFGE news and information, follow us on Facebook and Twitter .

SOURCE American Federation of Government Employees

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