Federal Employee Spotlight: Gregory Green

(Federal Workers Alliance)

My name is Gregory Green and I am a researcher. I have worked at the San Francisco VA Medical Center for over 5 years and for each of those years, I have worked with pride on research projects that are intended to improve the health and well-being of our nation’s Veterans. I have always been aware that I could make a higher salary and receive lucrative benefits like stock options and large bonuses in the private sector. However, I have remained here at the VA because of the importance of giving back to the Veterans, as many of them have given so much for us.

I believe that it is insulting that some lawmakers are seeking to continue our pay freezes, alter our current step increase schedule, and strip us of our important benefits.  These are valuable incentives for people to join the federal workforce in the first place!  We already have smaller salaries than our private sector counterparts. This has been well-documented.  In my opinion, to take away benefits and incentives represents serious maltreatment of federal workers.  It also represents a deep undervaluing of the work we do and the Veterans and everyday citizens for whom we do it.

San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities in the United States.  If my salary stayed frozen and if I could not be guaranteed step increases and pay raises, I would have to seriously consider finding another job. I need to support myself, and someday soon I would like to be able to support a family.

I implore you to do what is right for us.  As a representative of the largest public employer in the United States, it is your duty to protect the federal worker.  That is why we elected you to public office - to make sure that we are taken care of, so we can take care of others.  It is a cycle.  If the workers do not feel protected and valued, then productivity will suffer.  Morale will suffer.  Faith and trust in the government will suffer as well.

My father is a proud Vietnam Veteran and lover of America.  He is so happy that I work for the VA, because he has been a beneficiary of VA care and knows how important it is for Veterans.  But he is not pleased that VA and other federal workers are in danger of losing salary and benefits, and some may not be able to get a pension, which many depend on for sustenance.  Please set the example for your fellow lawmakers.  Protect the federal worker!