Paul Ortiz

Professor of Labor History

Paul Ortiz is a professor of labor history at the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations and a veteran of the 82nd Airborne Division, and 7th Special Forces Group.

Ortiz says:

“The proposed firings of tens of thousands of VA employees will have a devastating impact on the economies of numerous towns in rural America and will make it impossible for the Veterans Administration to effectively serve our nation's veterans.

“Unfortunately, there are many powerful individuals and interests in the current administration whose primary interest is not providing direct care for veterans. To the contrary, these interests are coordinating behind the scenes to privatize the VA system—all under the guise of ‘efficiency.’

“As a third generation US military veteran, scores of my elders and siblings have relied on the Veteran's Administration medical, counseling, and vocational services for decades. We rely on the VA to provide accessible and affordable care regardless of what part of the nation we live in.”

John Hausknecht

Professor of Human Resource Studies

John Hausknecht, professor of human resource studies in the Industrial and Labor Relations School, says there is no precedent for these kinds of mass layoffs for an agency whose services are growing in demand.

Hausknecht says:

“Typically, layoffs can be effective when there is a sustained reduction in demand for products or services. I don’t see that the VA is experiencing lower demand—if anything, the story suggests that they are understaffed relative to demand. 

“Given understaffing, mass layoffs would only worsen service. Further, even if mission-critical workers are retained, they will be expected to shoulder the burden of tasks once completed by those who are laid off. Research shows that this situation leads to low morale, burnout, and voluntary turnover among layoff survivors.”