And we wonder why people have the opinion of government that they do. Has ANYONE been fired regarding the VA problems and fraud? ANYONE?? Shinseki doesnt count.

They would just be moved to a different section. When they became a problem there, they would be moved again. That was years ago, and it STILL goes on there today. I have many friends still working on that base who tell the same stories.
Regardless of my past experience, have any of the people involved in the VA frauds been fired? Arrested? Made to give back bonuses they received based on fraudulent achievements? Anyone? I bet that the worst thats happened to any of them is allowing them to "retire" early. Continue getting paid and no punishment. The VA isnt the first, we see incompetence many times and nothing happens to the people responsible.
Are you wanting to defend these people? If so,why?

I don't know where you worked-but I also work for the government, and am a Union rep. I have personal knowledge of quite a few people over the years who have been fired. Rarely do I see people moved- I see them tossed out on the street. As a Union rep, my job is simply to make sure MGT follows the process and gives them appropriate notice and opportunity to give their side of the issue, before a decision is made.

I have seen far more people whom I thought did not deserve to be fired, fired, than I have ever seen moved around.



And no- I do not defend the people in the article. I would only want to make sure the proper process was followed, and they are able to present their side of the story, before a decision is made on what punishment they receive, up to and including firing or other appropriate disciplinary action.

The problem here is management wont push it when the union files a grievance on behalf of a sorry employee. They just move them to get it dropped. I personally know of one guy in my old area who would stay at his desk most of the day (position required the worker to go to two different bldgs and check radar settings) and when he was not allowed to work overtime, filed a grievance. Why let him work OT if he wouldnt work during regular hrs? Supervisor wanted him fired for refusal to complete his tasks, but management above him just moved the guy to a different area. The guy was 27 yrs old and had been in ELEVEN different sections. This was by no means an isolated incident. Its gotten to the point that this base fears another BRAC because their labor numbers are so bad. As well as morale. Its a snowball effect. People see someone getting away with not doing their job and think, hey, I'm not gonna work harder just because Jim is a slacker.

Back to the VA story, i agree with you about hearing both sides. But this has been a big story for years now. How long are we supposed to wait before there are no other sides to hear? These people need to be FIRED and possibly even arrested for fraud. But this will go the way of most other stories like it; swept under the rug and people allowed to retire or move to other positions.

But regarding the VA, I think everything is pretty much exactly as it appears. If not, where are the explanations of what REALLY happened by those involved? Its been long enough for the "truth" to come out if that truth is anything different from what we've seen already. But we're not gonna hear a damn thing and none of these people are being punished.