Spokane VA doctors file labor complaint

Doctors at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Spokane have filed an unfair labor practice complaint against administrators, claiming that work-schedule changes are shortchanging doctor care for hospitalized patients.

Administrators say that’s untrue, claiming the schedule changes are aimed at better accommodating veterans seeking care at the VA’s busy outpatient clinics and do not jeopardize care standards at the hospital.

The complaint is the latest move in a deepening rift between the sides that began last year when administrators determined changes were needed and quit scheduling weekend hospital shifts for doctors stationed at the VA’s busy outpatient clinics. The change meant inpatient hospital doctors would have to cover more of those weekend shifts.

VA doctors and other medical professionals including nurses are represented by the National Federation of Federal Employees. The union and administrators have struggled to agree even on what issues are subject to collective bargaining.

Union business representative Steve Flory said in the midst of hospital doctors exchanging proposals with administrators regarding the schedule changes, acting Spokane VA director Hal Blair issued his decision. It was an unfair edict, they say, that undermined the bargaining process.

Blair said when the negotiations continued to fail with little hope of an agreement, he opted to act in the interest of patient care. He said VA administrators are sensitive to the concerns of hospital doctors and have the money available to hire at least three more physicians to bolster the staff and relieve the pressure of doctors working at least one weekend shift a month.

The changes, he said, will build on what he characterized as existing excellent care for area veterans.

Flory said the problems are indicative of what’s happening to hospital doctors across the nation. “VA management under the Bush Administration is refusing to bargain with doctors and nurses. The message from VA management is ‘it’s our way or the highway,’ ” Flory said in a news release. “When you take away bargaining abilities, doctors are at risk of losing any meaningful voice to advocate for their veteran patients.”

The Spokane VA has about 600 employees – including more than 100 hired this year. Many of the workers were hired to reopen its emergency department after the death of a veteran on the sidewalk outside the hospital sparked a political furor.

The current labor complaint has been filed with the Federal Labor Relations Authority.