APWU Veterans Recommit to Fight Back Against Federal Attacks

APWU Veterans Recommit to Fighting Back Against Attacks on Veterans’ Rights and Health Care

The APWU Human Relations Department hosted a conference for APWU veterans to come together and address veterans’ issues and organize against attacks on veterans’ rights and health care. To get started, Human Relations Director Daleo Freeman demonstrated how to sign up for email updates from the Human Relations Department. He then started the program by reminding attendees that solidarity is more important than ever because veterans are under attack from the presidential administration, which is following the Project 2025 playbook.

We are not preparing to fight; we are in a fight

Director Freeman reminded members to be distracted by the tactics of the Trump administration. While the National Guard is being deployed on citizens, the current administration is busy stripping away health care, attacking disability ratings, the ability for veterans to get care, and more. He promised to continue to shine a light on these attacks and ensure that members will continue to get updates via the Home Front column of the American Postal Worker magazine, which is also posted online.

Strip-mining veterans’ rights and benefits

APWU National Veterans, Guard, and Reservist Information Specialist (VGRIS)Robert “Bob” Lafoe, a Vietnam veteran, then took the stage to make sure veterans are aware of the dangerous changes to their health care, including new billing rules that could charge veterans more money for health care they are entitled to. He implored veterans to look at the VA MISSION Act, which allows the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) to share health information with private parties. Lafoe encouraged veterans to use Form 10-10164 to opt out of this data sharing. You can find this form at va.go/vler.

Lafoe also warned veterans about the Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. If passed, this act will take away funding for the VA and funnel it to private health care companies. He also raised concerns that it could increase VA home loan fees for some veterans, placing a financial strain on those already facing economic fears

We must take care of each other

Next, APWU’s Negotiations Support and Special Projects Manager Michael Macho, also a veteran, took the stage to make sure veterans were aware of some concerns about legislation that is sneaking through Congress. For example, in 2020, the presidential administration walked back burial benefits, saying veterans are no longer entitled to a headstone. Veterans or their families would have to pay for that out of pocket. Brother Macho encouraged members to stay vigilant and organized. He proposed that veterans ensure their stewards have updated information to hand out on the workroom floor.

Veterans wrapped up their meeting with a commitment to continue to come together as a group and have a more diverse representation among conference speakers.

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