MEMPHIS, Tenn. –The Memphis VA has its share of problems from complaints about wait times to OSHA investigations. Now it’s the employees who say they are the ones being mistreated.
Workers claim they are being intimidated on the job. They are too afraid to come forward, but are speaking through their union reps.
“I am embarrassed and ashamed how people are treated there at VA Memphis,” said Union President Marshall Harris.
The union says the hospital managers are the problem; retaliating against employees who complain or report violations and overlooking workers for promotion.
“These employees are leaving. They are not getting the representation or even the consideration of management,” Randy Wade, a Veterans Advocate, said.
The union told WREG it’s time Washington sent down some tough directives so employees won’t feel they have to leave the Memphis VA.
“There are individuals that have decided that this is their VA. They have captured the VA and are doing it their way and the employees are suffering,” said Harris.
We asked the VA for comment. They said they were checking into the complaints.
Many veterans we spoke to knew about the problems and who they say are behind them.
“It’s from the top. It is not the employees that work here everyday. They are good people and they seem concerned about veterans,” said Army veteran William Free.
Navy veteran Talmadge Baxter has taken to the street, calling on new President-elect Donald Trump to step in and clean up problems in Memphis.
“Let the government come and deal with the VA. Maybe we will get our VA changed then. It’s worth a try ma’am isn’t it,” asked Baxter.
“The employees deserve to see a change because their spirit is there to take care of the veterans, but they should be taken care of as well. It’s a balancing act,” said Harris.
Late Thursday, the VA sent us a statement saying its employees have many avenues to file grievance complaints and the hospital supports using those avenues.
The union said the Memphis VA has more than 300 EEOC complaints filed by employees.
