AFGE Local 3197 provides representation for bargaining unit members of VA Puget Sound Health Care Service (PSHCS), Seattle Division and Veterans Affairs Regional Office (VARO).

AFGE is the largest federal employee union representing 600,000 federal and D.C. government workers across the nation and overseas.

The headquarters of AFGE is located in Washington, D.C. AFGE is divided into 12 districts, Local 3197 is in District 11 and the National President is John Gage.

Local 3197's office is located at the Seattle Division of the VA Puget Sound Health Care System.

VA Regional Office (VARO) is located at 915 2nd Avenue Room 1050, Seattle, WA 98174 220-6718 x2781 (fax 220-6240)

Pentagon Criticized For How It Treats Vets But VA Praised. In continuing coverage, the Seattle Times (3/1) complains in an editorial that too often, news coming out of Washington, DC, reveals poor treatment of veterans, as was demonstrated when the Pentagon "abruptly pulled the plug on a popular program that gave military spouses financial aid for college tuition and professional licenses and certification." The Times adds, however, that Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki "struck a different note last week, when he announced he would reopen review of disability claims filed by Gulf War veterans." The Times, which says the VA is also "moving quicker on preliminary data showing dramatic increases in veterans suicides," is pleased that these "vital topics are getting a closer, respectful review."
Impact: Local editorial praising VA efforts

 "Alarming" Increase In US Army Suicides Noted. McClatchy (3/1) notes, "Last month, the Defense Department reported that there were 160 reported active-duty Army suicides in 2009, up from 140 in 2008." And, while the "military's suicide rate is comparable to civilian rates, the increase is alarming because the armed services traditionally had lower suicide rates than the general population." McClatchy focuses much of its coverage on 33-year-old Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Wimmer, who committed suicide in 2009, leaving behind a family which is "still caught in the dark currents that took his life."
Impact: Mental health monitoring and care for active duty Army

Dream Of A Good Slumber? Adapt To Sleep Changes. The Seattle Times (3/1) reports, "Evidence-based recommendations for addressing sleep disorders in older adults, published late last year in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, are the latest significant contribution to the science of sleep in seniors." The Times adds, "'Implementing behavioral changes is very difficult for people to do without help,' said Dr. Cathy Alessi, a sleep expert at the Veterans Administration Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System."
Impact: Geriatric sleep research done at Los Angeles VAMC