To Secretary Collins: A Call for Steady Leadership in Uncertain Times
Dear Secretary Collins,
A pilot once told me that planes often crash not because of the initial crisis – like an onboard fire – but because in responding to the crisis, pilots forget to fly the plane. They become so focused on the emergency that they lose sight of their primary responsibility: keeping the aircraft in the air.
Right now, the war on the civil service is the fire, and the 400,000 VA employees working tirelessly to fulfill our sacred mission are the plane. I humbly urge you to focus on flying the plane. Employees across the VA are terrified, unsure of their job security, and demoralized by chaotic and anonymous directives that seem more designed to disrupt than to improve government efficiency. And as you know, it is nearly impossible for terrified and angry employees to be productive employees.
I fully respect that, as the new Secretary, you’ve stepped into this role at an incredibly challenging time. The environment you’ve inherited is turbulent, and I can only imagine how overwhelming it must be to balance competing priorities while trying to steady the course. That’s why I sincerely hope you’ll stand firm in your commitment to the workforce – bound by I-CARE principles – that makes the VA function.
I watched your Senate confirmation hearing and was especially struck when you said, “I’m looking forward to being a secretary who motivates and unleashes the power of this wonderful workforce.” That message resonated with me deeply because our union shares that commitment – to ensuring VA employees have the support they need to succeed. But right now, that workforce needs reassurance, direction, and leadership that puts their ability to serve Veterans above all else.
I urge you to reaffirm your commitment to this workforce by standing up for the people who provide world-class service to our nation’s Veterans. The mission must come first.
The plane must keep flying.
Respectfully,
Doug
Douglas E. Massey, Esq.
President
