(WASHINGTON) - On Saturday, June 7, 2008 the American Federation of Government Employees will kick-off the 2008 labor program with AFL-CIO union activists in Annandale, Va. The kick-off is part of nationwide campaign to call attention to the need for quality health care for all Americans, but particularly for returning veterans in need of care at the nation’s Veterans Affairs hospitals. Prior to the walk, J. David Cox, AFGE national secretary treasurer, will address the crowd of union supporters to discuss the growing need and importance of ensuring that veterans receive the best possible health care.
“We know that America is the greatest nation in the world. In the greatest nation in the world there is no reason that every American should not be able to receive quality health care,” said J. David Cox. “That is the message that we are going to bring to these walks.”
During the 2008 election campaign, AFGE has sought to amplify its continuous call for increased resources for frontline employees in the VA by launching a campaign for full, assured funding. The campaign features a web site, www.fundtheva.com., regionally targeted radio ads featuring a union veteran, Phil Glover and a You Tube video.
A retired registered nurse in the Veterans Health Administration, Cox said this about the need for additional VA funding, “During my time in the VA system I witnessed first hand the dramatic turnaround of the VA into a world class health care system. Unfortunately, during the past eight years, the administration has attempted to eviscerate that progress. There are hundreds of thousands of committed professionals in the VA health care system and with the support of the American people; they can turn the system around again.”
The event, scheduled to begin at 9:00 am, will be held at the Northern Virginia Central Labor Council located at 4536 B John Marr Drive in Annandale, Va. The event will feature speeches from various union leaders. Following the speeches, union activists will hit the streets to knock on doors in union heavy neighborhoods to educate fellow union members on the need for quality health care for veterans and all Americans.
AFGE is encouraging union members throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area to join together at the event and help build the momentum necessary for quality health care for all.