Date: 07/10/06 14:22:42
Subject: RE: Your opinion please
 

Dear Scott:

Another horror story!  It never ceases to amaze me at what lengths people in power will go to feed their egos and their pocketbooks.  This appears as corruption, collusion, unfair labor practices, discrimination, retaliation, abuse of authority, gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds and violations of laws rules and regulations. 

I would advise the veteran to file with the Whistleblower Disclosure Unit of the Office of Special Counsel, www.osc.gov (being a federal employee), the Sec. of Labor, OIG, GAO, Washington Post, and the Project on Government Oversight (www.pogo.org). 

Then I would seek out an attorney, possibly John Odom, to see if he can be of any assistance or if he can direct him to someone who may.  If he contacts Odom, ask him to tell Odom that he was referred by Wes Brickner and Scott Linsley of the Veterans’ Rights Advocates.

You may also give him my phone numbers, email address and home address if he would like to contact me personally.  

Anything I can do to help, I am more than willing to do.

Thanks for requesting my opinion.

Your buddy in arms, raging against the machine of corruption and injustice which exists in our society,

Peace and Love,

Wes

From: Scott [mailto:Scott@v-r-a.org]
Sent: Sunday, July 09, 2006 2:56 PM
To: Wes Brickner
Subject: Your opinion please

 

Dear Wes,

 

I need your opinion on the following request for advice.

 

Thanks, Scott

 

I have a question about discrimination in the workplace. Exactly 5 years ago, today, I began working for the Veteran's Administration in Philadelphia, PA. I just turned 56. I've had a career as a Philadelphia Firefighter for 19 years, and another 6 as a carpenter. I spent 1969 in VietNam as a Marine combat infantryman. So, I have some experiencce.

   When I was hired, along with about 40 other hirees, we were hired to work veterans service connected disability claims. But when our class graduated they took 8 of us to join a new department that was being set up in Philadelphia to work non-service connected pensions. We had to wait for a class that was hired just for pension, while we were not trained in pension. To make a long story short, the 8 of us were behind the eight ball, as we were not trained.

   Since I had over 30 years work experience, I saw the inequities that existed between our 2 classes. Especially since one of the other class was a high ranking member of the VA hierarchy (Tom Pamperin). In the past 5 years, these members have been promoted to GS 11s, 12s and 13s, while we remain at GS 10.

   I joined the union and became a member of the management Labor Relation Board. I have paid for it since. They will not even let me have the job that I was originally hired for. I am being blackballed. And, I do not think it is only because I stood up for things to be fair, but I really believe they have an anti veteran bias. For example, 2 years ago, 5 people were charged with a made up charge. 4 were fired, and the other demoted. The 4 that were fired were veterans, 3 of whom have a service connected disability, while the fifth person was a non veteran who was demoted one grade level. After filing a grievance, and winning, all 5 were reinstated.

   There is so much wrong with this place, but nowhere to go, it is frustrating. No one dares to speak up for fear of retribution. I am a case in point. The management has even hidden veteran/widow's claims, so that they could make the director's goals. The immoral thing about this is that it caused their monthly checks to stop. Now, this program is based on need, so these people really need their money, but they hid their claims in order to be at a certain percentage. I mean a widow with no other income gets $567.00 per month, and a veteran only gets a couple hundred more, to do this to ensure that they get their bonus is so dishonest, it is gut wrenching.

   Well, I am starting to ramble, but I could go on and on. However, I firmly believe that I am being blackballed, and would like to know if I have any recourse.

Thank you,