Most VA workers see racism against colleagues and veterans, union survey finds

Bywebmaster

Nearly 80 percent of Veterans Affairs employees surveyed by their workers union in July said endemic racism within the federal government’s second-largest organization is a moderate or serious problem, with more than half reporting they have witnessed discrimination against the veterans whom the agency serves.

The independent nationwide survey of approximately 1,500 VA staff members was conducted by the American Federation of Government Employees. Its findings were disclosed to The Washington Post in advance of a planned public release Friday.

“VA leadership has to work with us and with their employees to change that culture and cultivate an environment where employees feel confident that when they report acts of racism and other types of discrimination, their claim will be taken seriously, prompt action will be taken to address the issue, and they will not be punished for speaking out,” Everett Kelley, the union’s president, said in a statement. He added that VA employees have faced retaliation for raising complaints.

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