As of the end of the work day on Sept. 27, I am formally separating from the State of Iowa and my employment at the Iowa Veterans Home due to irreconcilable differences.
For nearly 20 years, the last eight at IVH, I committed to this job like a long-term relationship, as one would be in a marriage. I dedicated myself to the Iowa Veterans Home, believing in the work and service we provide to our veterans. However, I am no longer receiving the same commitment from IVH. The values of this administration no longer align with the care and service our veterans deserve. For that reason, I must leave my position as a social worker 3 in direct protest and last defiance of the layoffs on Aug. 15.
These layoffs are just the latest in a series of actions by this administration that chip away at the services for our Iowa veterans. Our veterans, who have risked their lives and health to defend our country, now find themselves facing the deepest cuts -- cuts that undermine the quality of care they receive. These men and women sacrificed everything to protect our freedom, and it is deeply unjust they are now the ones suffering due to the administration's irresponsible budget decisions.
During the last eight years at IVH, I witnessed the union stripped of its role at the table by our governor and legislators; the elimination of in-house medical doctors (now outsourced to UnityPoint); elimination of the IT department (outsourced to OCIO); the reduction of registered nurses from three to two during the day shift; licensed practical nurses are also stretched thin, causing nursing workloads to be at unsustainable levels; social work caseloads have grown by 33 percent; certified nursing aides are often forced to work at bare minimum staffing levels without support; and the recent decimation of the recreation department.
These conditions make it impossible to provide the level of care that our veterans need and deserve, particularly as their mental health needs increase. These staffing cuts are not just an injustice to the employees. They are a direct threat to the well-being of our veterans.
We were frontline workers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. While we put our lives at risk, we heard rumors of bonuses going to management. Whether or not this is true, it speaks to the perception of a workplace that has lost its way. The Iowa Veterans Home has become a hostile work environment, thanks to the damaging policies and direct actions of this administration.
They are responsible for the "us vs. them" mentality. The fear of retaliation among staff is very real. The lack of respect for employees has eroded our ability to consistently provide quality care to our veterans, and these ongoing budget cuts only further diminish the quality of care they receive. Our veterans deserve better, and no matter how this is spun, the fact remains they are the ones who stand to lose the most from these cuts.
In good conscience, I cannot continue to stand by and witness the hostility, low morale and sheer ingratitude the state is showing to its employees and the veterans we serve. This is not the place I once believed in, and I can no longer align myself with this institution, or state employment for that matter.
I urge the public taxpayers to hold this administration accountable. I urge the governor and legislators to allocate surplus funding to IVH, to restore and expand the programs for our Iowa veterans. I urge staff to resist and organize to swing the tide in favor of the residents and staff once more, which is way overdue.
This facility once set the standard for veterans' homes across the country. Now, the only thing holding it together is the dedication of the remaining staff. They are what make IVH great, not management. If you continue to treat staff with such disregard, the Branstad vision of privatization will indeed become a reality. Perhaps that was the goal all along.
I am deeply saddened by how my service has come to an end. I wish you luck in your future endeavors, and may you be judged on the malicious intent that often drives them. I wish I could say this separation or departure was me and not you, but it is absolutely you.
Sincerely, Wyatt Manship former Social Worker 3 IVH
P.S. I know you tried to limit my free speech on a publicly funded forum by blocking me from the IVH Facebook page while still employed. Actually, you blocked everyone who posted anything you don't want to hear. Tell us again about your total transparency and how you follow up on complaints.