• The VA has terminated collective bargaining agreements, stripping 400,000 federal workers of union protections.
• Affected unions include AFGE, NAGE, NFFE, NNOC/NNU, and SEIU.
• Move follows a March executive order and a federal appellate court ruling lifting a ban on ending union contracts.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (TDR) — The Department of Veterans Affairs announced it has terminated collective bargaining agreements for most of its bargaining-unit employees, a decision affecting more than 400,000 federal workers.

Ties to Trump’s Executive Order

The VA cited a March executive order by Donald Trump that eliminated collective bargaining rights for many federal employees, purportedly on national security concerns because “certain Federal unions have declared war on President Trump’s agenda” .

Court Ruling Clears the Way

The agency’s move came days after a federal appellate court ruling lifted a lower court’s ban, allowing termination of union contracts immediately .

Unions Affected

On August 6, the VA ended agreements with five major unions:

• American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)
• National Association of Government Employees (NAGE)
• National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE)
• National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU)
• Service Employees International Union (SEIU)

Claimed Benefits for Veterans

The VA argues that taxpayer-funded union time—nearly 750,000 hours in 2024—will now be redirected to serve Veterans . The agency also claims that labor contracts hampered its ability to hire, promote, and hold underperforming staff accountable.

Exemptions and Scope

The action does not apply to about 4,000 VA police officers, firefighters, or security guards, whose roles are exempt from the executive order .

Union Outrage and Retaliation Claims

AFGE President Everett Kelley denounced the move as retaliation for “speaking out against the illegal, anti-worker, and anti-veteran policies” of the administration . Similarly, National Nurses United called it “class warfare against working people,” vowing to fight for collective bargaining rights .

VA Leadership Defends Decision

VA Secretary Doug Collins stated that unions “fight against the best interests of Veterans while protecting bad workers,” emphasizing that staff must focus exclusively on providing top-notch care .

Next Steps: Legal Challenges Loom

AFGE and other unions are assessing legal options to challenge Secretary Collins’ decision and restore union rights . Observers expect protracted litigation over the administration’s authority to unilaterally end these contracts.

Broader Implications for Federal Labor

Labor experts warn that this action, if upheld, could set a precedent for other agencies, reshaping the landscape of federal labor relations and diluting decades of collective bargaining rights established by law .

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Will the VA’s bid to streamline operations override established worker protections, or will the courts reaffirm collective bargaining rights?

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