Lawmakers, labor leaders rally in protest over Veterans Affairs job losses in Detroit
Detroit VA cuts leads to large rally against federal job losses
Labor leaders and lawmakers rallied with federal workers outside Detroit's John Dingell VA Medical Center - where activists say so far 28 people have been fired.
DETROIT (FOX 2) - More cuts to federal workers in Metro Detroit, and may fear the impact on veterans receiving care at VA medical centers in Ann Arbor and Detroit.
Local perspective:
Labor leaders and lawmakers rallied with federal workers outside Detroit's John Dingell VA Medical Center - where activists say so far 28 people have been fired.
"We need to tell Elon Musk it's time for him to go - we need to tell him he's fired," said Everett Kelly, American Federation of Government Employees president through a bullhorn.
President Donald Trump and Musk have fired 2,400 people throughout Veterans Affairs. It's not clear how many have resigned.
"We are here - standing - united and fighting for the veteran and dedicated government workers," said US Rep. Debbie Dingell (D).
Workers like Navy veteran Kara Oliver. She had worked at the Ann Arbor VA - and was working at the Detroit VA - providing fitness programs and alternative medicine - helping relieve pain, and anxiety for veterans when she was suddenly let go.
"I've had veterans tell me the programs were life-changing - they were devastated when they found out they were gone," Oliver said.
It's not known just how the firings are impacting the care veterans are receiving - but it's definitely impacting the staff.
"The VA's a good place to work - we have good people working here," said Benjamin Mahan, president. "The problem is these people are scared, they're afraid, they don't know what to do, they don't know which way to go."
"Our veterans, they deserve more - our federal workers, they don't even realize what federal workers are," said Yvonne Evans, national fair practice coordinator.
A federal judge in San Francisco ruled the mass firings of these probationary employees are likely illegal - and should be stopped.
Related: NOAA Ann Arbor employees among 20% cut from research station in federal layoff blitz
Union leaders say they're going to continue to fight - continue to file lawsuits - and try to get some answers.
"Be engaged - people don't believe this is actually happening, it is," said US Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D). "And we have to do something about it.
"We'll stand with you until this war is won," Kelly shouted to the crowd. "Thank you."
The Source: Information for this story was gathered with interviews of labor leaders, a former Detroit VA employee and Democrat US Reps. Debbie Dingell and Rashida Tlaib.
