WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced legislation today that would ensure that VA medical professionals—including nurses, doctors, and physicians assistants –are fairly compensated and have access to the same appeals process as other VA staff.
“Our veterans deserve care from top-rate medical professionals,” Brown said. “In order to secure quality care, we must ensure that VA employees are treated fairly and receive proper pay.”
The bill was cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Al Franken (D-MN), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Mark Begich (D-AK). Currently, VA medical professionals are not assured the right to grieve and negotiate on overtime and comp time – causing many VA workers to be unjustly denied overtime or Saturday premium pay. This simple fix would clarify that VA workers can grieve and negotiate on pay issues, but not on basic pay or compensation. Brown introduced similar legislation in 2010.
A member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Brown is the author of several legislative initiatives that would strengthen our nation's commitment to veterans by improving education reimbursements and expanding employment protection for former service members. Brown has held more than 150 community events since being sworn into office in 2007 - holding at least one roundtable discussion with community leaders in each of Ohio's 88 counties. Many of Brown's legislative priorities, including his jobs initiatives, originated from these discussions.
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