I work for the Department of Veterans Affairs, as a Schedule A employee (which means I have a disability; multiple health problems). I’m a GS/6, and hardly make much income as it is. Not only will this freeze drastically affect my pay, but also my ability to go to the doctor which are necessary for my health; because I won’t be able to afford the co-pay and deductibles. This places me at risk of my health declining, and getting my medication. Now he has this new “telework leave policy” that he just came up with, which is going to make my life hell because I can’t work from home, therefore if I don’t have leave, I have to go on leave without pay. All of these new policies benefit no one but the upper GS class.
Kristi Schmidt
AFGE Local 17
Department of Veterans Affairs, Maryland
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I’m a GS-5 step 1 employee for the VAMC in my local area. I’m also a disable veteran and have always made my own way. I have a wife of 31 years that was recently diagnosed with bone cancer. I make very little from my present grade and the insurance is the major reason that I have to continue. Even though I have Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield the co payment alone are running me into bankruptcy. My wife has been hospitalized three times in two years and expected more in the near future. I don’t know about the folks making these laws if they care or not, but I care about my wife. I need every dollar I can get my hands on to try and get her into remission. I have served my country, I’m proud of that and I serve my fellow vets and I’m proud of that, but I’m not proud of how this country has turned on the working middle class.