
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 2, 1990                   TAG: 9005020483
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

UNION WORKS FOR BETTER VETS' CARE

ON MARCH 31, there was a letter from William E. Beitz concerning the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salem and the American Federation of Government Employees Local Union there.

Beitz should be made aware that the union consists of nurses, doctors, licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants, clerks, dietetic employees, social workers, custodians, dishwashers and other professional and non-professional employees.

The union is run as a total democracy, and we are proud of all the employees. They work under adverse conditions due to staff shortages and budget constraints. The employees he criticized have gone on picket lines and used all available resources to fight for needed funds at the Medical Center to take proper care of the veterans, including Beitz. TERESSA D. ALTIC Chief Steward/Professional Unit AFGE Local 1739 VA Medical Center SALEM

by CNB