The Dispute Index

VA ends most union contracts, then treats AFGE's as expired; Collins cites veterans' care and unions call it retaliation

The VA ended most of its union contracts in August 2025, saying unions worked against veterans' interests. AFGE calls it retaliation, and a federal judge ordered its contract restored. In October 2026 the VA said that contract had expired.

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Doug Collins, in glasses, a navy suit and a red tie, speaks and gestures beside a lectern and microphone, in front of a projected slide reading 2025 Mid-Winter Conference over an image of the Capitol dome, with a U.S. flag at left.
Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins addresses the Disabled American Veterans Mid-Winter Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 23, 2025. The photo predates the August 2025 contract terminations and the dispute that followed.

Case period:

Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated

United States Department of Veterans AffairsDoug CollinsAmerican Federation of Government Employees
Veterans AffairsLabor PolicyFree Speech

Overview

On August 6, 2025, the Department of Veterans Affairs terminated its collective bargaining agreements with five unions for most of its bargaining-unit employees. It cited Executive Order 14251, which President Trump signed in March 2025 to exclude the VA and other agencies from federal collective bargaining on national security grounds. Contracts for about 4,000 VA police officers, firefighters and security guards stayed in place. Secretary Doug Collins said unions that represent VA employees too often fight against veterans' best interests while protecting bad workers.

The American Federation of Government Employees, whose master agreement covered about 300,000 VA employees, sued in federal court in Rhode Island in November 2025, arguing the termination was retaliation for its public opposition to VA policies. On March 13, 2026, U.S. District Judge Melissa DuBose ordered the contract restored, finding the union likely to succeed on its First Amendment and Administrative Procedure Act claims. Collins terminated it again on March 26 on national security grounds, and the judge ruled the next day that the re-termination did not comply with her order. In May the First Circuit left her injunction in place.

The VA then said the contract would end with its three-year term on August 8, 2026. AFGE says the VA's request to renegotiate triggered a clause that keeps the contract in force until a new one is agreed. Judge DuBose agreed in August, but on October 2 the First Circuit stayed that order, finding it went beyond the original injunction, without deciding the contract question. The VA told AFGE on October 10 that it considers the agreement expired for everyone except police officers, firefighters and security guards. AFGE has asked the judge to modify her injunction, and we did not find a ruling on that request as of November 12, 2026.

Read the full background

Executive Order 14251 declares that the VA and several other agencies have national security work as a primary function, which removes them from the federal labor-relations statute that gives most federal employees bargaining rights. The order keeps police officers, firefighters and security guards covered and lets the VA secretary return subdivisions of the department to the statute. As of March 2026, challenges to the order itself were pending in the Ninth Circuit and the D.C. Circuit.

The VA said in August 2025 that the terminations cut its bargaining-unit workforce from about 375,000 to about 7,000 employees, and that bargaining-unit employees had spent more than 750,000 hours of work on union business in 2024. In granting the injunction, Judge DuBose noted that the VA had exempted several other unions by name, although the order allowed exemptions only for agency subdivisions, and that it terminated AFGE's agreement days after the Ninth Circuit paused a California injunction against the order. The government argued that its statements reflected national security concerns and that the termination was unrelated to the unions' speech.

The VA restored its agreements with AFGE and five other unions in early April 2026, after the judge's enforcement order and a separate injunction in a case led by National Nurses United. In May the First Circuit declined to pause the injunction but ruled that the district court could not order the VA to comply with the contract in both form and substance or to keep processing pending grievances. AFGE's October 16 motion asking Judge DuBose to extend the injunction until a new agreement is negotiated was fully briefed on November 3, 2026.

People in this case

Timeline

17 timeline entries on this page. Dates: March 27, 2025 to October 16, 2026

  1. March 2025

    1. Trump signs Executive Order 14251

      The order excludes the Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies from the federal labor-relations statute on national security grounds. Police officers, firefighters and security guards stay covered.

      [01]The White House

      Executive order signed March 27, 2025 that excludes the Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies from the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute on national security grounds, while keeping police officers, firefighters and security guards covered, and lets the secretaries of defense and veterans affairs suspend the exclusion for subdivisions.

      Executive Order 14251: Exclusions From Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs · The White HouseFull text of the order

  2. April 2025

    1. Lawmakers ask Collins to seek a waiver for the whole VA

      Reaction

      Senator Richard Blumenthal and Representative Mark Takano lead a letter, signed by 22 senators and more than 100 House members, asking Secretary Collins to request a waiver from Executive Order 14251 for the entire VA. The letter says the order appears primarily retaliatory and opposes ending the department's collective bargaining agreements.

      [02]Mark Takano

      Letter to Secretary Doug Collins, posted by House Veterans' Affairs Committee Democrats, asking him to request a waiver from Executive Order 14251 for the entire VA. It is signed by 22 senators and more than 100 House members, including Senators Patty Murray, Bernie Sanders, Mazie Hirono, Tammy Duckworth and Elissa Slotkin.

      Letter from Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Rep. Mark Takano and members of Congress to Secretary Doug Collins asking for a VA-wide waiver from Executive Order 14251 · Mark TakanoLetter dated April 2, 2025, with signature pages

  3. August 2025

    1. VA terminates most of its union contracts

      The VA ends its contracts with AFGE, NAGE, NFFE, National Nurses United and SEIU for most bargaining-unit employees, effective immediately. Contracts for about 4,000 police officers, firefighters and security guards remain.

      [03]United States Department of Veterans Affairs

      VA press release announcing that the department terminated its collective bargaining agreements with AFGE, NAGE, NFFE, NNOC/NNU and SEIU for most bargaining-unit employees, effective immediately, citing President Trump's executive order. It says contracts for about 4,000 VA police officers, firefighters and security guards remain in place, and includes a statement by Secretary Doug Collins.

      VA release: VA terminates union contracts for most bargaining-unit employees · United States Department of Veterans AffairsPress release text

    2. Unions and House Democrats condemn the terminations

      Reaction

      National Nurses United calls the move an attempt to bust unions. NFFE President Randy Erwin calls the claim that it helps veterans preposterous, and Ranking Member Mark Takano and committee Democrats call it a politically motivated attack.

      [04]National Nurses United

      Statement by National Nurses United on the VA's termination of its contracts with five unions, which the union says covered some 16,000 nurses it represents at 23 VA facilities.

      National Nurses United statement responding to VA collective bargaining agreement termination · National Nurses UnitedStatement text
      [05]National Federation of Federal Employees

      NFFE release responding to the VA's August 6, 2025 notice that it was implementing Executive Order 14251 and no longer recognized the unions representing most of its workforce, with a statement by NFFE National President Randy Erwin.

      NFFE release: Secretary Doug Collins declares the VA is a national security agency and attacks collective bargaining rights of VA caregivers · National Federation of Federal EmployeesPress release text
      [06]Mark Takano

      Joint statement by Ranking Member Mark Takano and ten Democratic members of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs after the VA announced it would terminate collective bargaining agreements for most bargaining-unit employees.

      House Veterans' Affairs Committee Democrats release: Ranking Member Takano and committee members slam Secretary Collins's gutting of VA employee union rights · Mark TakanoPress release text

  4. September 2025

    1. House Democrats demand that the VA reinstate the contracts

      Reaction

      Representatives Delia Ramirez and Tim Kennedy lead a letter from more than 90 House Democrats to Secretary Collins demanding that the VA reinstate the terminated agreements. The letter argues that the administration ended contracts only with unions that had criticized its policies.

      [07]Letter from Reps. Delia Ramirez and Tim Kennedy and House Democrats to Secretary Doug Collins on the terminated VA union contracts

      Letter to Secretary Doug Collins led by Representatives Delia Ramirez and Tim Kennedy and signed by more than 90 House Democrats. It demands that the VA reinstate the collective bargaining agreements it terminated on August 6, 2025. This copy is posted on Representative Maggie Goodlander's website.

      Letter from Reps. Delia Ramirez and Tim Kennedy and House Democrats to Secretary Doug Collins on the terminated VA union contractsLetter dated September 12, 2025, with signature pages
      [08]Timothy M. Kennedy

      Release from Representative Tim Kennedy's office announcing the letter he and Representative Delia Ramirez led, with a statement by Kennedy and the full text of the letter.

      Kennedy release: Kennedy, Ramirez lead House Democrats in demanding VA reinstate collective bargaining agreements for 377,000 workers · Timothy M. KennedyPress release text

  5. November 2025

    1. AFGE sues the VA in federal court in Rhode Island

      AFGE Local 2305 and AFGE's National VA Council file suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, alleging that the termination of their master agreement violated the First Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act.

      [09]United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island

      Court docket as mirrored by CourtListener (RECAP). Entries read include the November 4, 2025 complaint, the March 13, 2026 preliminary injunction, the enforcement orders of March 27 and August 7, 2026, the First Circuit's May 16 and October 2, 2026 rulings, and the unions' October 16, 2026 motion for an indicative ruling, with the government's opposition filed October 28 and the unions' reply filed November 3. No ruling on that motion appears in the mirrored docket.

      AFGE Local 2305 v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, No. 1:25-cv-00583 (D.R.I.): docket · United States District Court for the District of Rhode IslandDocket entries 1 to 83, read November 12, 2026 (mirror last updated November 10, 2026)
      [10]American Federation of Government Employees

      AFGE release on Judge Melissa DuBose's March 13, 2026 preliminary injunction reinstating the master agreement between the VA and AFGE's National VA Council, with statements by NVAC President Mary Jean Burke and AFGE National President Everett Kelley.

      AFGE release: Court orders restoration of AFGE Veterans Affairs collective bargaining agreement · American Federation of Government EmployeesPress release text

    2. Senators introduce a bill to restore the VA contracts

      Reaction

      Senator Richard Blumenthal introduces S. 3174, the VA CBA Act of 2025, with Senators Lisa Murkowski and Chuck Schumer as original cosponsors. It would restore the cancelled contracts and nullify Executive Orders 14251 and 14343.

      [11]S. 3174, VA CBA Act of 2025 (119th Congress): cosponsors

      Congress.gov record for S. 3174, introduced November 10, 2025 by Senator Richard Blumenthal and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. It lists Senators Lisa Murkowski and Chuck Schumer as original cosponsors as of that date.

      S. 3174, VA CBA Act of 2025 (119th Congress): cosponsorsCosponsors tab
      [12]Lisa Murkowski

      Release announcing that Senators Lisa Murkowski, Richard Blumenthal and Chuck Schumer and Representative Delia Ramirez introduced the VA Care and Benefits Accountability Act, which would restore cancelled VA union contracts and nullify Executive Orders 14251 and 14343, with statements by Murkowski, Blumenthal, Alaska AFL-CIO President Joelle Hall and NFFE President Randy Erwin.

      Murkowski release: Murkowski and colleagues introduce bill to restore VA employees' collective bargaining rights · Lisa MurkowskiPress release text

  6. March 2026

    1. Judge DuBose orders the AFGE contract restored

      Judge Melissa DuBose grants a preliminary injunction ordering the VA to reinstate the master agreement for the rest of its agreed-upon term. She finds the unions likely to succeed on their First Amendment retaliation and Administrative Procedure Act claims.

      [13]United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island

      Court record as mirrored by CourtListener (RECAP). Memorandum and order granting the unions' motion for a preliminary injunction and directing the VA to reinstate the master agreement and related agreements for the remainder of the agreed-upon term. The court found the unions likely to succeed on their First Amendment retaliation and Administrative Procedure Act claims. Read in full.

      AFGE Local 2305 v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, No. 1:25-cv-00583 (D.R.I.): memorandum and order granting preliminary injunction · United States District Court for the District of Rhode IslandDocument 30, filed March 13, 2026
      [10]American Federation of Government Employees

      AFGE release on Judge Melissa DuBose's March 13, 2026 preliminary injunction reinstating the master agreement between the VA and AFGE's National VA Council, with statements by NVAC President Mary Jean Burke and AFGE National President Everett Kelley.

      AFGE release: Court orders restoration of AFGE Veterans Affairs collective bargaining agreement · American Federation of Government EmployeesPress release text

    2. Collins terminates the AFGE contract a second time

      In a memo to AFGE's leaders, Secretary Collins gives notice that the VA is terminating the master agreement on national security grounds, citing Executive Order 14251.

      [14]United States Department of Veterans Affairs

      Memorandum from Secretary Collins to AFGE National President Everett Kelley and NVAC President Mary Jean Burke, filed with the court as an exhibit to the government's status report. It gives notice that the VA is terminating the 2023 master agreement for employees covered by Executive Order 14251 and sets out the department's reasons. Court record as mirrored by CourtListener (RECAP). Read in full.

      Doug Collins memorandum to AFGE: notice of termination of collective bargaining agreement, March 26, 2026 · United States Department of Veterans AffairsDocument 36-1 in AFGE Local 2305 v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, No. 1:25-cv-00583 (D.R.I.), filed March 26, 2026, pages 1 to 5
      [15]Federal News Network: VA re-terminates AFGE contract for 300K employees, despite court order to restore it

      Report on Secretary Collins's March 26, 2026 memo re-terminating the AFGE master agreement and the March 27 hearing at which Judge DuBose said the re-termination did not comply with her order.

      Federal News Network: VA re-terminates AFGE contract for 300K employees, despite court order to restore itArticle text

    3. Judge rules the re-termination does not comply with her order

      Judge DuBose grants AFGE's motion to enforce the injunction, orders the VA to tell bargaining units the re-termination has no effect, and directs it to show cause why it should not be held in contempt. The government appeals to the First Circuit the same day.

      [16]United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island

      Court record as mirrored by CourtListener (RECAP). Two-page order holding that the VA's March 26 re-termination letter did not comply with the preliminary injunction, ordering the VA to notify bargaining units that the letter has no force or effect, and ordering it to show cause why the re-termination should not be treated as contempt. Read in full.

      AFGE Local 2305 v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, No. 1:25-cv-00583 (D.R.I.): order granting motion to enforce preliminary injunction · United States District Court for the District of Rhode IslandDocument 39, filed March 27, 2026
      [15]Federal News Network: VA re-terminates AFGE contract for 300K employees, despite court order to restore it

      Report on Secretary Collins's March 26, 2026 memo re-terminating the AFGE master agreement and the March 27 hearing at which Judge DuBose said the re-termination did not comply with her order.

      Federal News Network: VA re-terminates AFGE contract for 300K employees, despite court order to restore itArticle text

  7. April 2026

    1. VA restores contracts with six unions

      VA headquarters tells facilities to return to the status quo for AFGE-represented employees, and a VA memo restores agreements with six unions while the preliminary injunctions remain in effect.

      [17]Federal News Network: VA reverses course, restores union contracts following judge's rebuke

      Report that the VA restored its collective bargaining agreements with six unions while preliminary injunctions remain in effect, after Judge DuBose granted AFGE's motion to enforce and a separate preliminary injunction in a case led by National Nurses United.

      Federal News Network: VA reverses course, restores union contracts following judge's rebukeArticle text

  8. May 2026

    1. First Circuit leaves the injunction in place

      A First Circuit panel denies the VA's request to pause the preliminary injunction, but stays the parts of the enforcement order that required compliance with the contract in both form and substance and continued processing of pending grievances.

      [18]Government Executive: Appeals court upholds order reinstating VA's union contracts

      Report on the First Circuit panel's May 16, 2026 decision denying the VA's request to stay the preliminary injunction while staying the parts of the enforcement order that required compliance with the contract in both form and substance.

      Government Executive: Appeals court upholds order reinstating VA's union contractsArticle text
      [09]United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island

      Court docket as mirrored by CourtListener (RECAP). Entries read include the November 4, 2025 complaint, the March 13, 2026 preliminary injunction, the enforcement orders of March 27 and August 7, 2026, the First Circuit's May 16 and October 2, 2026 rulings, and the unions' October 16, 2026 motion for an indicative ruling, with the government's opposition filed October 28 and the unions' reply filed November 3. No ruling on that motion appears in the mirrored docket.

      AFGE Local 2305 v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, No. 1:25-cv-00583 (D.R.I.): docket · United States District Court for the District of Rhode IslandDocket entries 1 to 83, read November 12, 2026 (mirror last updated November 10, 2026)

  9. July 2026

    1. VA says the contract will end on August 8

      The VA tells AFGE it will treat the master agreement as ending on August 8, 2026, the end of its three-year term, saying the union did not give notice of intent to negotiate within the required 30 days. AFGE says its communications with the department met that requirement.

      [19]Federal News Network: Judge orders VA again to maintain collective bargaining with AFGE

      Report on Judge DuBose's August 7, 2026 order granting AFGE's second motion to enforce the preliminary injunction after the VA told the union on July 24 that it would treat the contract as ending on August 8.

      Federal News Network: Judge orders VA again to maintain collective bargaining with AFGEArticle text

  10. August 2026

    1. Judge DuBose blocks the VA's third attempt to end the contract

      Judge DuBose grants AFGE's second motion to enforce, ruling that the parties' communications about renegotiation triggered the contract's automatic extension.

      [19]Federal News Network: Judge orders VA again to maintain collective bargaining with AFGE

      Report on Judge DuBose's August 7, 2026 order granting AFGE's second motion to enforce the preliminary injunction after the VA told the union on July 24 that it would treat the contract as ending on August 8.

      Federal News Network: Judge orders VA again to maintain collective bargaining with AFGEArticle text
      [09]United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island

      Court docket as mirrored by CourtListener (RECAP). Entries read include the November 4, 2025 complaint, the March 13, 2026 preliminary injunction, the enforcement orders of March 27 and August 7, 2026, the First Circuit's May 16 and October 2, 2026 rulings, and the unions' October 16, 2026 motion for an indicative ruling, with the government's opposition filed October 28 and the unions' reply filed November 3. No ruling on that motion appears in the mirrored docket.

      AFGE Local 2305 v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, No. 1:25-cv-00583 (D.R.I.): docket · United States District Court for the District of Rhode IslandDocket entries 1 to 83, read November 12, 2026 (mirror last updated November 10, 2026)

  11. October 2026

    1. First Circuit stays the second enforcement order

      The First Circuit panel stays Judge DuBose's August order, finding that it resolved a contract-interpretation dispute beyond the scope of the original preliminary injunction while that injunction was on appeal. The panel does not decide whether the extension clause applies.

      [20]Government Executive: Appeals court seemingly OKs VA's contested union contract expiration

      Report on the First Circuit's October 2, 2026 order staying Judge DuBose's second enforcement order, quoting the panel's reasoning that the order resolved a contract-interpretation dispute beyond the scope of the original preliminary injunction.

      Government Executive: Appeals court seemingly OKs VA's contested union contract expirationArticle text
      [21]American Federation of Government Employees

      AFGE post on the First Circuit's October 2, 2026 stay of the district court's second enforcement order and the VA's October 10 notice that it considers the 2023 master agreement expired for employees other than police officers, firefighters and security guards.

      AFGE: AFGE prepared to fight VA's latest attempt to terminate contract · American Federation of Government EmployeesArticle text

    2. VA tells AFGE its contract has expired

      After revising its guidance on October 8 to say the AFGE agreement no longer applies for most employees, the VA notifies AFGE's National VA Council that it considers the agreement expired except for police officers, firefighters and security guards.

      [22]Federal News Network: VA says union contract no longer applies after appeals court ruling

      Report that VA revised its collective bargaining guidance on October 8, 2026 to say the AFGE national agreement no longer applies for most bargaining-unit employees, and notified AFGE on October 10 that it considers the agreement expired. A VA spokesperson declined to comment, citing pending litigation.

      Federal News Network: VA says union contract no longer applies after appeals court rulingArticle text
      [23]Government Executive: VA allows union contract to expire for most employees

      Report on the VA's message to employees that its AFGE agreement had expired and on guidance from its Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer keeping parts of the contract only for police officers, firefighters and security guards.

      Government Executive: VA allows union contract to expire for most employeesArticle text

    3. AFGE asks the judge to extend the injunction and files a national grievance

      AFGE asks Judge DuBose for an indicative ruling that she would modify the injunction to last until a new agreement is negotiated if the First Circuit returns the case to her, and files a national grievance alleging bad-faith bargaining. The motion was fully briefed on November 3.

      [24]Government Executive: Union seeks new avenue to restore VA contract

      Report on AFGE's October 16, 2026 motion asking Judge DuBose for an indicative ruling that would modify the preliminary injunction to last until a new agreement is negotiated, the union's national bad-faith bargaining grievance, and the government's response to the request for expedited briefing.

      Government Executive: Union seeks new avenue to restore VA contractArticle text
      [09]United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island

      Court docket as mirrored by CourtListener (RECAP). Entries read include the November 4, 2025 complaint, the March 13, 2026 preliminary injunction, the enforcement orders of March 27 and August 7, 2026, the First Circuit's May 16 and October 2, 2026 rulings, and the unions' October 16, 2026 motion for an indicative ruling, with the government's opposition filed October 28 and the unions' reply filed November 3. No ruling on that motion appears in the mirrored docket.

      AFGE Local 2305 v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, No. 1:25-cv-00583 (D.R.I.): docket · United States District Court for the District of Rhode IslandDocket entries 1 to 83, read November 12, 2026 (mirror last updated November 10, 2026)

Claims

Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.

What's disputed

Disputed claim

United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Ending most VA union contracts lets VA staff spend time on veterans instead of union business, frees office space for veterans' care, and lets managers reward high performers and hold poor performers accountable.

What is disputed

The VA makes this case in its August 6 and August 22, 2025 releases announcing and defending the terminations. NFFE's Randy Erwin calls the claim that the move helps veterans preposterous, and AFGE, National Nurses United and Democratic members of the House and Senate veterans' affairs committees say union protections help staff report problems and protect veterans' care.

Sources (3)

Disputed claim

Everett Kelley

Secretary Collins terminated AFGE's contract in retaliation for the union's public opposition to cuts and changes at the VA.

What is disputed

AFGE makes this claim in its lawsuit and in statements by National President Everett Kelley. In granting a preliminary injunction on March 13, 2026, Judge Melissa DuBose found the union likely to succeed on its retaliation claim, a preliminary finding rather than a final judgment. The government argued that its statements reflected national security concerns and that the termination was unrelated to the unions' speech, and Collins's March 26, 2026 memo says the VA terminated the contract on national security grounds.

Sources (3)

Disputed claim

United States Department of Veterans Affairs

The VA's master agreement with AFGE expired at the end of its term in August 2026 and no longer applies to VA employees other than police officers, firefighters and security guards.

What is disputed

The VA took this position in guidance revised on October 8, 2026 and in an October 10 notice to AFGE, after the First Circuit stayed Judge DuBose's August 7 order on October 2. AFGE says the VA's request to renegotiate triggered the contract's automatic extension clause, which keeps it in force until a new agreement is reached. Judge DuBose agreed with the union in August; the First Circuit stayed her order because it went beyond the original injunction and did not decide whether the extension clause applies.

Sources (4)

Response record

Responses

Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.

18 responses. First 6 shown initially. Newest first.

  1. United States Department of Veterans AffairsFederal department, in a message to employees obtained by Government ExecutiveDirectly involved

    Before this statement

    The message followed a First Circuit order that stayed Judge DuBose's ruling that the contract's automatic extension clause kept it in force while a new agreement is negotiated.

    "Employees and managers can more freely engage in open communications to improve the organization ... You may also see changes to some of the processes and procedures that were previously contained in the now-expired AFGE collective bargaining agreement."
    Defended or excused

    Responding to: The VA's master agreement with AFGE expired at the end of its term in August 2026 and no longer applies to VA employees other than police officers, firefighters and security guards.

    Full statement and sources

    In a message to employees after the appeals court stay, VA management describes the AFGE agreement as expired, says employees and managers can now communicate more freely to improve the organization, and says managers will follow VA policy on matters the contract covered.

    After the statement

    Department guidance said the VA would keep parts of the expired agreement only for police officers, firefighters and security guards, and would stop taking part in grievances involving other employees.

    Government Executive: VA allows union contract to expire for most employeesArticle text

    Why this label?

    The reference point is the Department of Veterans Affairs' termination of most of its union contracts on August 6, 2025, and its later treatment of the AFGE master agreement as expired in October 2026. The VA describes the AFGE agreement as expired and presents the change as a chance for freer communication, which defends treating the contract as expired.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

    Read statementLink to this statement
  2. American Federation of Government EmployeesLabor union representing VA employees, in a post on its websiteDirectly involved

    Before this statement

    On October 10 the VA notified AFGE's National VA Council that it considers the 2023 agreement expired and will no longer recognize the union for employees other than police officers, firefighters and security guards.

    "Notably, the First Circuit did not sanction the VA's interpretation of the Duration of Agreement article, nor did it give the VA permission to re-terminate the CBA. ... AFGE vehemently opposes the VA's latest attack on federal workers, a third of whom are veterans themselves."
    Condemned

    Responding to: The VA's master agreement with AFGE expired at the end of its term in August 2026 and no longer applies to VA employees other than police officers, firefighters and security guards.

    Full statement and sources

    AFGE says the First Circuit's stay neither endorsed the VA's reading of the contract's duration clause nor permitted the VA to re-terminate the agreement, and it calls the VA's notice that the contract has expired its latest attack on federal workers.

    After the statement

    AFGE says the court has not ruled on the underlying question of whether Secretary Doug Collins can strip more than 300,000 VA employees of their voice at work.

    AFGE: AFGE prepared to fight VA's latest attempt to terminate contract · American Federation of Government EmployeesArticle text
    Federal News Network: VA says union contract no longer applies after appeals court rulingArticle text

    Why this label?

    The reference point is the Department of Veterans Affairs' termination of most of its union contracts on August 6, 2025, and its later treatment of the AFGE master agreement as expired in October 2026. AFGE rejects the VA's treatment of its contract as expired and calls it an attack on federal workers, which condemns it.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

    Read statementLink to this statement
  3. Doug CollinsSecretary of Veterans Affairs, in a memo to AFGE's national president and the president of its National VA CouncilDirectly involved

    Before this statement

    Judge Melissa DuBose's March 13 preliminary injunction ordered the VA to reinstate the master agreement. The memo says the agreement cannot operate without the federal labor-relations statute and cites the VA's legal role as the backstop health care provider for the armed forces in wartime.

    "The President is aware of both the important national security role VA performs and how collective bargaining affects VA's ability to perform that mission. ... VA is accordingly terminating this CBA on national security grounds."
    Defended or excused

    Responding to: Secretary Collins terminated AFGE's contract in retaliation for the union's public opposition to cuts and changes at the VA.

    Full statement and sources

    In a memo to AFGE's leaders two weeks after the court ordered the contract restored, Collins says the president has determined that collective bargaining affects the VA's national security role, and that the VA is therefore terminating the agreement on national security grounds.

    After the statement

    The next day Judge DuBose ruled that the re-termination letter did not comply with her order and directed the VA to show cause why it should not be held in contempt.

    Doug Collins memorandum to AFGE: notice of termination of collective bargaining agreement, March 26, 2026 · United States Department of Veterans AffairsDocument 36-1 in AFGE Local 2305 v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, No. 1:25-cv-00583 (D.R.I.), filed March 26, 2026, pages 1 to 5
    AFGE Local 2305 v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, No. 1:25-cv-00583 (D.R.I.): order granting motion to enforce preliminary injunction · United States District Court for the District of Rhode IslandDocument 39, filed March 27, 2026

    Why this label?

    The reference point is the Department of Veterans Affairs' termination of most of its union contracts on August 6, 2025, and its later treatment of the AFGE master agreement as expired in October 2026. Collins issues a second termination of the AFGE agreement and gives national security as the reason, which defends the termination.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

    Read statementLink to this statement
  4. Everett KelleyNational president of the American Federation of Government Employees, in an AFGE release

    Before this statement

    Judge Melissa DuBose granted the union's motion for a preliminary injunction and ordered the VA to reinstate the master agreement between the department and AFGE's National VA Council.

    "Secretary Collins singled out AFGE and our members for retaliation because we refused to stay silent about cuts and changes at the VA that would harm veterans. His decision to exempt other unions from the President's executive order and then terminate AFGE/NVAC's collective bargaining agreement made the retaliation impossible to deny."
    Condemned

    Responding to: Secretary Collins terminated AFGE's contract in retaliation for the union's public opposition to cuts and changes at the VA.

    Full statement and sources

    After the court ordered the contract restored, Kelley says Collins singled out AFGE and its members for retaliation because they refused to stay silent about VA cuts that would harm veterans, and that exempting other unions made the retaliation impossible to deny.

    After the statement

    Kelley says the contract cannot be torn up unilaterally and that the VA's actions put veterans' care at risk by undermining the people who serve them.

    AFGE release: Court orders restoration of AFGE Veterans Affairs collective bargaining agreement · American Federation of Government EmployeesPress release text
    AFGE Local 2305 v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, No. 1:25-cv-00583 (D.R.I.): memorandum and order granting preliminary injunction · United States District Court for the District of Rhode IslandDocument 30, filed March 13, 2026

    Why this label?

    The reference point is the Department of Veterans Affairs' termination of most of its union contracts on August 6, 2025, and its later treatment of the AFGE master agreement as expired in October 2026. Kelley calls the termination retaliation against AFGE for speaking out, which condemns it.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

    Read statementLink to this statement
  5. Richard BlumenthalRanking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, in a committee release

    Before this statement

    Judge Melissa DuBose had just granted AFGE's National VA Council a preliminary injunction ordering the VA to reinstate its master collective bargaining agreement.

    "VA workers have a legal right to collective bargaining that this Administration illegally stripped away last year. ... Veterans deserve a VA workforce that comes forward with concerns about poor patient care, waste, fraud and abuse without fear of retaliation. Unions are essential to this mission, and I will be looking to see that the courts uphold all VA employees' collective bargaining rights permanently."
    Condemned

    Case context: VA ends most union contracts, then treats AFGE's as expired; Collins cites veterans' care and unions call it retaliation

    Full statement and sources

    After the court ordered the AFGE contract restored, Blumenthal says the administration illegally stripped VA workers of their legal right to collective bargaining, says unions help staff raise concerns about patient care without fear of retaliation, and says he wants the courts to uphold those rights permanently.

    After the statement

    The release notes that Blumenthal introduced legislation with Senators Lisa Murkowski and Chuck Schumer in 2025 to restore VA employees' bargaining rights.

    Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee release: Blumenthal applauds court decision ordering restoration of AFGE VA workers' collective bargaining rights · Richard BlumenthalPress release text

    Why this label?

    The reference point is the Department of Veterans Affairs' termination of most of its union contracts on August 6, 2025, and its later treatment of the AFGE master agreement as expired in October 2026. Blumenthal calls the termination an illegal removal of VA workers' bargaining rights, which condemns it.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

    Read statementLink to this statement
  6. Lisa MurkowskiU.S. senator from Alaska (Republican)

    Before this statement

    Her office says the bill responds to the Trump administration's cancellation of union contracts for 80 percent of VA employees.

    "Action: Became an original cosponsor of S. 3174, the VA Care and Benefits Accountability Act, a bill to restore the VA union contracts cancelled in August 2025 and nullify Executive Orders 14251 and 14343, on November 10, 2025."
    Condemned

    Case context: VA ends most union contracts, then treats AFGE's as expired; Collins cites veterans' care and unions call it retaliation

    Full statement and sources

    Murkowski, a Republican, joins Democratic Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chuck Schumer as an original cosponsor of a bill to restore the cancelled VA union contracts and nullify the executive orders behind them. She says upholding the right to bargain lets VA staff focus on supporting veterans.

    After the statement

    In the same release Murkowski says the bill will defend VA employees who speak up about waste, fraud and abuse. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

    Murkowski release: Murkowski and colleagues introduce bill to restore VA employees' collective bargaining rights · Lisa MurkowskiPress release text
    S. 3174, VA CBA Act of 2025 (119th Congress): cosponsorsCosponsors tab

    Why this label?

    The reference point is the Department of Veterans Affairs' termination of most of its union contracts on August 6, 2025, and its later treatment of the AFGE master agreement as expired in October 2026. Murkowski cosponsors legislation to restore the contracts the VA terminated and says bargaining rights help VA staff serve veterans, which condemns the terminations.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

    Read statementLink to this statement
View all 18 responsesShow fewer responses
  1. Timothy M. KennedyU.S. representative from New York and member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, in a release on the letter he co-led with Rep. Delia Ramirez

    Before this statement

    Kennedy's office announced the letter he and Representative Delia Ramirez led, which demands that the VA reinstate the collective bargaining agreements it terminated on August 6.

    "When you rip away workplace protections from nurses, doctors, and caregivers ... you destabilize the very system our heroes depend on for their care ... This is reckless, it is politically motivated, and it will harm veterans in Western New York and across the country."
    Condemned

    Responding to: Secretary Collins terminated AFGE's contract in retaliation for the union's public opposition to cuts and changes at the VA.

    Full statement and sources

    Announcing the letter he co-led with Representative Delia Ramirez, Kennedy says stripping workplace protections from VA nurses, doctors and caregivers destabilizes veterans' care, and calls the move reckless and politically motivated.

    After the statement

    The release says that suppressing collective bargaining protections will deepen staffing shortages and threaten timely care for veterans.

    Kennedy release: Kennedy, Ramirez lead House Democrats in demanding VA reinstate collective bargaining agreements for 377,000 workers · Timothy M. KennedyPress release text

    Why this label?

    The reference point is the Department of Veterans Affairs' exclusion from collective bargaining under Executive Order 14251, its termination of most of its union contracts on August 6, 2025, and its later treatment of the AFGE master agreement as expired in October 2026. Kennedy calls the terminations reckless and politically motivated and says they will harm veterans, which condemns them.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

    Read statementLink to this statement
  2. Kelly MorrisonU.S. representative for Minnesota's 3rd District and member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, leading a letter from Minnesota's Democratic congressional delegation

    Before this statement

    The letter asks Collins for data on every employee who left VA facilities serving Minnesota veterans in 2025, citing VA figures that show net losses of nearly 9,000 veteran-facing employees across the department.

    "In addition, your recent decision to terminate collective bargaining agreements for nearly all VA workers will almost certainly worsen working conditions and could lead to even more attrition, especially for physicians, nurses, and other mission critical employees."
    Condemned

    Responding to: Ending most VA union contracts lets VA staff spend time on veterans instead of union business, frees office space for veterans' care, and lets managers reward high performers and hold poor performers accountable.

    Full statement and sources

    In a letter Morrison led with Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith and Representatives Betty McCollum, Ilhan Omar and Angie Craig, the Minnesota Democrats tell Collins that ending the contracts will almost certainly worsen working conditions and could drive more VA staff to leave.

    After the statement

    The letter cites a VA Inspector General finding that every VA medical center faces severe staffing shortages, including 130 positions in the Minneapolis VA Health Care System.

    Letter from Minnesota's Democratic congressional delegation to Secretary Doug Collins on VA workforce data in Minnesota · Kelly MorrisonLetter dated September 18, 2025

    Why this label?

    The reference point is the Department of Veterans Affairs' exclusion from collective bargaining under Executive Order 14251, its termination of most of its union contracts on August 6, 2025, and its later treatment of the AFGE master agreement as expired in October 2026. The letter Morrison led says the terminations will almost certainly worsen working conditions and could increase attrition among clinicians, which condemns them.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

    Read statementLink to this statement
  3. Delia RamirezU.S. representative from Illinois and ranking member of the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, co-leading a letter with Rep. Tim Kennedy signed by more than 90 House Democrats

    Before this statement

    The letter to Secretary Collins says the administration ended its agreements with AFGE, NAGE, NFFE, National Nurses United and SEIU on August 6, and that the VA's press release was the first official response the lawmakers received to their questions about the executive order.

    "We write to express our outrage regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) decision to unilaterally terminate collective bargaining agreements covering over 377,000 employees. ... it is clear that the Administration only terminated collective bargaining agreements for unions that have been critical of their actions, punishing those who have spoken out against VA policies that stripped protections for union members and the veterans they serve."
    Condemned

    Responding to: Secretary Collins terminated AFGE's contract in retaliation for the union's public opposition to cuts and changes at the VA.

    Full statement and sources

    In a letter Ramirez co-led with Representative Tim Kennedy, more than 90 House Democrats express outrage at the terminations, argue that the VA ended contracts only with unions that had criticized its policies, and demand that it reinstate the agreements.

    After the statement

    The letter calls Collins's statement that unions fight against veterans' interests insulting and false, and demands that the VA reinstate the agreements. In November 2025 Ramirez introduced H.R. 6015, a House bill to restore VA employees' collective bargaining rights.

    Letter from Reps. Delia Ramirez and Tim Kennedy and House Democrats to Secretary Doug Collins on the terminated VA union contractsLetter dated September 12, 2025, with signature pages
    Ramirez release: Ramirez, Blumenthal, Murkowski introduce bipartisan bill to restore VA employees' collective bargaining rights · Delia RamirezPress release text

    Why this label?

    The reference point is the Department of Veterans Affairs' exclusion from collective bargaining under Executive Order 14251, its termination of most of its union contracts on August 6, 2025, and its later treatment of the AFGE master agreement as expired in October 2026. The letter Ramirez co-led expresses outrage at the terminations and calls them punishment of unions that spoke out, which condemns them.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

    Read statementLink to this statement
  4. Chip RogersChief executive officer of Americans for Fair Treatment, in an opinion column published by TheBlaze

    Before this statement

    Rogers opens the column by saying that for too long the federal bureaucracy was more devoted to protecting its unions than to serving veterans.

    "In a bold and long-overdue move, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins ended most collective bargaining agreements for the department's 430,000 unionized employees. ... By freeing the VA from entrenched unions, Collins has restored accountability, strengthened the workforce, and realigned the department's mission with its values."
    Defended or excused

    Responding to: Ending most VA union contracts lets VA staff spend time on veterans instead of union business, frees office space for veterans' care, and lets managers reward high performers and hold poor performers accountable.

    Full statement and sources

    In an opinion column, Rogers calls Secretary Collins's decision to end most VA collective bargaining agreements bold and long overdue, and says freeing the VA from unions restored accountability and strengthened its workforce.

    After the statement

    Between the two passages, Rogers argues that union contracts kept VA managers from rewarding strong employees or firing poor performers and criticizes AFGE's use of official time. He closes by calling Collins's actions a decisive step toward keeping the government's promise to veterans.

    Chip Rogers column in TheBlaze: Unions can't hide behind veterans any moreOpinion column text

    Why this label?

    The reference point is the Department of Veterans Affairs' exclusion from collective bargaining under Executive Order 14251, its termination of most of its union contracts on August 6, 2025, and its later treatment of the AFGE master agreement as expired in October 2026. Rogers calls the terminations bold and long overdue and says they restored accountability at the VA, which defends them.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

    Read statementLink to this statement
  5. Randy ErwinNational president of the National Federation of Federal Employees, in an NFFE release

    Before this statement

    NFFE said Secretary Collins had informed the unions representing VA employees that he was implementing Executive Order 14251 and that the department no longer recognized them for most of its workforce.

    "The Trump administration's claim that this move helps veterans is preposterous ... VA healthcare professionals rely on their union membership to safely report mismanagement, expose cover-ups, and push back against political interference and corrupt private contracting. Eliminating unions eliminates those safeguards, which is exactly why they're doing it. This is going to be a disaster for veterans' care."
    Condemned

    Responding to: Ending most VA union contracts lets VA staff spend time on veterans instead of union business, frees office space for veterans' care, and lets managers reward high performers and hold poor performers accountable.

    Full statement and sources

    Erwin says the administration's claim that the move helps veterans is preposterous, that VA health workers rely on their unions to report mismanagement and push back against political interference, and that the change will be a disaster for veterans' care.

    After the statement

    Erwin says NFFE opposes replacing trained VA staff with private contractors and will fight the action in the courts and in Congress.

    NFFE release: Secretary Doug Collins declares the VA is a national security agency and attacks collective bargaining rights of VA caregivers · National Federation of Federal EmployeesPress release text

    Why this label?

    The reference point is the Department of Veterans Affairs' termination of most of its union contracts on August 6, 2025, and its later treatment of the AFGE master agreement as expired in October 2026. Erwin rejects the VA's justification and predicts harm to veterans' care, which condemns the terminations.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

    Read statementLink to this statement
  6. Naveed ShahArmy veteran and political director of Common Defense, in a statement released by the organization

    Before this statement

    Common Defense's release says the cancellation strips nearly 350,000 VA workers, many of them veterans, of their rights to fair representation and arbitration.

    "These workers are the backbone of the VA, ensuring our fellow veterans get the care and support they've earned. By gutting their union protections, this administration is attacking the very people who keep the VA running, risking worse care, longer wait times, and a hollowed-out system. This isn't about reform; it's about silencing those who stand up for what's right"
    Condemned

    Responding to: Secretary Collins terminated AFGE's contract in retaliation for the union's public opposition to cuts and changes at the VA.

    Full statement and sources

    In a Common Defense statement the day after the terminations were announced, Shah says gutting VA workers' union protections attacks the people who keep the VA running, risks worse care and longer waits for veterans, and is about silencing critics rather than reform.

    After the statement

    The release says Common Defense stands with SEIU, AFGE and National Nurses United, demands the immediate reversal of the order and warns of effects on staffing, retention and continuity of care.

    Common Defense release: Veterans fiercely condemn Trump administration after stripping union rights from Veteran Affairs workers · Common DefensePress release text

    Why this label?

    The reference point is the Department of Veterans Affairs' exclusion from collective bargaining under Executive Order 14251, its termination of most of its union contracts on August 6, 2025, and its later treatment of the AFGE master agreement as expired in October 2026. Shah says the move attacks VA workers, risks worse care for veterans and is meant to silence critics, which condemns it.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

    Read statementLink to this statement
  7. Mark TakanoRanking member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, in a joint statement with committee Democrats

    Before this statement

    The statement followed the VA's announcement that it would terminate collective bargaining agreements with AFGE, NAGE, NFFE, National Nurses United and SEIU for most bargaining-unit employees.

    "While Secretary Collins tries to spin this horrific VA decision to terminate union contracts for most bargaining-unit VA employees, we see it for what it is ... a politically motivated attack on VA employees' rights, power, and autonomy. This Administration is showing once again that it is anti-worker, anti-veteran, and anti-VA. They are outright violating the law to retaliate against workers and their unions who have dared exercise their First Amendment right to oppose this Administration's actions that harm workers."
    Condemned

    Responding to: Secretary Collins terminated AFGE's contract in retaliation for the union's public opposition to cuts and changes at the VA.

    Full statement and sources

    Takano and ten other Democrats on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee call the terminations a politically motivated attack on VA employees' rights and say the administration is breaking the law to retaliate against unions that opposed its actions.

    After the statement

    The members call on Collins to end what they describe as political attacks at the expense of veterans and say they will keep working to protect VA employees' collective bargaining rights.

    House Veterans' Affairs Committee Democrats release: Ranking Member Takano and committee members slam Secretary Collins's gutting of VA employee union rights · Mark TakanoPress release text

    Why this label?

    The reference point is the Department of Veterans Affairs' termination of most of its union contracts on August 6, 2025, and its later treatment of the AFGE master agreement as expired in October 2026. Takano calls the terminations a politically motivated attack and unlawful retaliation, which condemns them.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

    Read statementLink to this statement
  8. National Nurses UnitedNurses' union whose VA contract was terminated, in a statement

    Before this statement

    NNU says the terminations cover some 16,000 nurses it represents at 23 VA facilities.

    "NNU recognizes this effort to erase our collective bargaining agreements is a blatant attempt to bust our unions and to silence the nurses and workers who are standing on the frontlines to protect our country's fundamental institutions."
    Condemned

    Case context: VA ends most union contracts, then treats AFGE's as expired; Collins cites veterans' care and unions call it retaliation

    Full statement and sources

    NNU says ending its contract and those of other VA unions is an attack on people who serve others and a blatant attempt to bust the unions and silence nurses and other workers.

    After the statement

    NNU says it will continue a lawsuit it filed with other unions in April 2025 challenging the executive order, and argues that nurses' ability to speak up through their union improves veterans' care.

    National Nurses United statement responding to VA collective bargaining agreement termination · National Nurses UnitedStatement text

    Why this label?

    The reference point is the Department of Veterans Affairs' termination of most of its union contracts on August 6, 2025, and its later treatment of the AFGE master agreement as expired in October 2026. NNU calls the terminations an attempt to bust unions and silence nurses, which condemns them.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

    Read statementLink to this statement
  9. Doug CollinsSecretary of Veterans Affairs, in the VA's announcement of the terminationsDirectly involved

    Before this statement

    The VA announced that it had notified AFGE, NAGE, NFFE, National Nurses United and SEIU that their contracts were terminated for most bargaining-unit employees, effective immediately, citing President Trump's executive order excluding certain agencies from labor-management relations programs.

    "Too often, unions that represent VA employees fight against the best interests of Veterans while protecting and rewarding bad workers ... We're making sure VA resources and employees are singularly focused on the job we were sent here to do: providing top-notch care and service to those who wore the uniform."
    Defended or excused

    Responding to: Ending most VA union contracts lets VA staff spend time on veterans instead of union business, frees office space for veterans' care, and lets managers reward high performers and hold poor performers accountable.

    Full statement and sources

    Announcing the terminations, Collins says unions that represent VA employees too often fight against veterans' best interests while protecting and rewarding bad workers, and that the move keeps VA resources and staff focused on care and service for veterans.

    After the statement

    The release says contracts covering about 4,000 VA police officers, firefighters and security guards remain in place, and lists reforms the department says the unions opposed.

    VA release: VA terminates union contracts for most bargaining-unit employees · United States Department of Veterans AffairsPress release text

    Why this label?

    The reference point is the Department of Veterans Affairs' termination of most of its union contracts on August 6, 2025, and its later treatment of the AFGE master agreement as expired in October 2026. Collins announces the terminations and argues that they keep VA resources focused on veterans, which defends the action.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

    Read statementLink to this statement
  10. Nikki BudzinskiU.S. representative from Illinois and member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, at a committee hearing with Secretary Collins

    Before this statement

    Budzinski spoke during her questioning time at the hearing on the VA budget request, after saying that VA employees had stepped up to deliver the PACT Act expansion of care and now faced more staffing cuts.

    "Almost four in five VA employees are members of unions and collective bargaining rights give them a process to address their concerns in the workplace and ensure sound working conditions. I believe this helps both the employee and the veteran being served. Mr. Secretary, when you endorse President Trump's executive order stripping VA employees of their labor rights, I believe you devalue their work."
    Condemned

    Case context: VA ends most union contracts, then treats AFGE's as expired; Collins cites veterans' care and unions call it retaliation

    Full statement and sources

    At a May 2025 committee hearing, Budzinski tells Secretary Collins that collective bargaining helps VA employees and veterans, and that by endorsing the executive order stripping VA employees of their labor rights he devalues their work.

    After the statement

    She said constituents who work at the VA in her district report fear, stress and low morale, and that changes at the VA should be thoughtful, legal and based on input from stakeholders, including Congress.

    Official record of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing on the VA budget request for fiscal years 2026 and 2027Serial No. 119-21; remarks of Rep. Nikki Budzinski

    Why this label?

    The reference point is the Department of Veterans Affairs' exclusion from collective bargaining under Executive Order 14251, its termination of most of its union contracts on August 6, 2025, and its later treatment of the AFGE master agreement as expired in October 2026. Speaking months before the terminations, Budzinski says that endorsing the order's removal of VA employees' labor rights devalues their work, which condemns the exclusion.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

    Read statementLink to this statement
  11. Bernie SandersU.S. senator from Vermont and member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, questioning Secretary Collins at a committee hearing

    Before this statement

    Sanders asked Collins whether VA workers who belong to unions are a threat to national security and why the VA eliminated collective bargaining rights. Collins answered that the executive order was about the VA's national security mission, not about whether VA workers were a threat.

    "Well, the bottom line is unions, 79 percent of workers at the VA are union members. They no longer are able to engage in collective bargaining. To me that is an outrage. I think the courts will overturn that."
    Condemned

    Case context: VA ends most union contracts, then treats AFGE's as expired; Collins cites veterans' care and unions call it retaliation

    Full statement and sources

    At a May 2025 committee hearing, Sanders tells Secretary Collins that VA union members can no longer bargain collectively under President Trump's order, calls that an outrage and predicts the courts will overturn it.

    After the statement

    Collins replied that this was not true at that point, and Sanders moved on to a question about outreach to veterans who do not use VA care.

    Official record of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing Veterans at the Forefront: Secretary Collins on the Future at VAS. Hrg. 119-73; questioning of Secretary Doug Collins by Sen. Bernie Sanders

    Why this label?

    The reference point is the Department of Veterans Affairs' exclusion from collective bargaining under Executive Order 14251, its termination of most of its union contracts on August 6, 2025, and its later treatment of the AFGE master agreement as expired in October 2026. Speaking months before the terminations, Sanders calls the loss of collective bargaining at the VA an outrage, which condemns the exclusion.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

    Read statementLink to this statement
  12. Chris PappasU.S. representative from New Hampshire and ranking member of the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, in a statement from his office

    Before this statement

    Pappas issued the statement after the administration moved to end collective bargaining rights for a wide range of federal employees, including staff at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

    "This latest Executive Order is a direct attack on workers' rights to organize and collectively bargain for better wages, safe conditions, and full benefits. It will harm not only working families but also our security, defense, and the well-being of our veterans who receive benefits and care through the VA."
    Condemned

    Case context: VA ends most union contracts, then treats AFGE's as expired; Collins cites veterans' care and unions call it retaliation

    Full statement and sources

    Pappas calls the executive order ending collective bargaining for VA staff and other federal employees a direct attack on workers' rights and says it will harm the well-being of veterans who receive benefits and care through the VA.

    After the statement

    He said he would fight the order and keep working to protect workers, and in the same statement voiced support for the PRO Act on workers' right to organize.

    Pappas release: Pappas slams Trump move to end collective bargaining for federal employees · Chris PappasPress release text

    Why this label?

    The reference point is the Department of Veterans Affairs' exclusion from collective bargaining under Executive Order 14251, its termination of most of its union contracts on August 6, 2025, and its later treatment of the AFGE master agreement as expired in October 2026. Speaking the day after the order was signed, Pappas calls it a direct attack on workers' rights that will harm veterans who rely on the VA, which condemns the exclusion.

    This label describes the statement's response within the context above.

    Read statementLink to this statement

Sources

(33)

Official statement

VA release: VA terminates union contracts for most bargaining-unit employees

VA release: VA terminates union contracts for most bargaining-unit employees (opens in a new tab) · United States Department of Veterans AffairsPress release text
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Relevant passage: Press release text

About this source

VA press release announcing that the department terminated its collective bargaining agreements with AFGE, NAGE, NFFE, NNOC/NNU and SEIU for most bargaining-unit employees, effective immediately, citing President Trump's executive order. It says contracts for about 4,000 VA police officers, firefighters and security guards remain in place, and includes a statement by Secretary Doug Collins.

Author
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Official statement

Common Defense release: Veterans fiercely condemn Trump administration after stripping union rights from Veteran Affairs workers

Common Defense release: Veterans fiercely condemn Trump administration after stripping union rights from Veteran Affairs workers (opens in a new tab) · Common DefensePress release text
Read source (opens in a new tab)

Relevant passage: Press release text

About this source

Release from Common Defense, a veterans' advocacy group, condemning the VA's cancellation of union contracts the day after it was announced, with a statement by its political director, Naveed Shah.

Author
Common Defense
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Original text

Chip Rogers column in TheBlaze: Unions can't hide behind veterans any more

Chip Rogers column in TheBlaze: Unions can't hide behind veterans any more (opens in a new tab)Opinion column text
Read source (opens in a new tab)

Relevant passage: Opinion column text

About this source

Opinion column by Chip Rogers, chief executive of Americans for Fair Treatment, published by TheBlaze. It argues that Secretary Doug Collins's decision to end most VA collective bargaining agreements will improve accountability and care for veterans.

Author
Chip Rogers
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Official statement

Pappas release: Pappas slams Trump move to end collective bargaining for federal employees

Pappas release: Pappas slams Trump move to end collective bargaining for federal employees (opens in a new tab) · Chris PappasPress release text
Read source (opens in a new tab)

Relevant passage: Press release text

About this source

Statement by Representative Chris Pappas on the executive order ending collective bargaining rights for a wide range of federal employees, including staff at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Author
Office of Representative Chris Pappas
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Original text

Letter from Minnesota's Democratic congressional delegation to Secretary Doug Collins on VA workforce data in Minnesota

Letter from Minnesota's Democratic congressional delegation to Secretary Doug Collins on VA workforce data in Minnesota (opens in a new tab) · Kelly MorrisonLetter dated September 18, 2025
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Relevant passage: Letter dated September 18, 2025

About this source

Letter led by Representative Kelly Morrison asking Secretary Doug Collins for data on employees who left VA facilities serving Minnesota veterans in 2025 and on appointments cancelled because of staffing shortages.

Author
Rep. Kelly Morrison, Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, and Reps. Betty McCollum, Ilhan Omar and Angie Craig
Published
Accessed

Official statement

Ramirez release: Ramirez, Blumenthal, Murkowski introduce bipartisan bill to restore VA employees' collective bargaining rights

Ramirez release: Ramirez, Blumenthal, Murkowski introduce bipartisan bill to restore VA employees' collective bargaining rights (opens in a new tab) · Delia RamirezPress release text
Read source (opens in a new tab)

Relevant passage: Press release text

About this source

Release announcing H.R. 6015, the House bill Representative Delia Ramirez introduced to restore VA employees' collective bargaining rights, with statements by Ramirez, Senator Richard Blumenthal and Senator Lisa Murkowski.

Author
Office of Representative Delia C. Ramirez
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Official statement

Kennedy release: Kennedy, Ramirez lead House Democrats in demanding VA reinstate collective bargaining agreements for 377,000 workers

Kennedy release: Kennedy, Ramirez lead House Democrats in demanding VA reinstate collective bargaining agreements for 377,000 workers (opens in a new tab) · Timothy M. KennedyPress release text
Read source (opens in a new tab)

Relevant passage: Press release text

About this source

Release from Representative Tim Kennedy's office announcing the letter he and Representative Delia Ramirez led, with a statement by Kennedy and the full text of the letter.

Author
Office of Representative Timothy M. Kennedy
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Original text

Letter from Reps. Delia Ramirez and Tim Kennedy and House Democrats to Secretary Doug Collins on the terminated VA union contracts

Letter from Reps. Delia Ramirez and Tim Kennedy and House Democrats to Secretary Doug Collins on the terminated VA union contracts (opens in a new tab)Letter dated September 12, 2025, with signature pages
Read source (opens in a new tab)

Relevant passage: Letter dated September 12, 2025, with signature pages

About this source

Letter to Secretary Doug Collins led by Representatives Delia Ramirez and Tim Kennedy and signed by more than 90 House Democrats. It demands that the VA reinstate the collective bargaining agreements it terminated on August 6, 2025. This copy is posted on Representative Maggie Goodlander's website.

Author
Reps. Delia C. Ramirez and Timothy M. Kennedy and other House Democrats
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Original text

Letter from Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Rep. Mark Takano and members of Congress to Secretary Doug Collins asking for a VA-wide waiver from Executive Order 14251

Letter from Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Rep. Mark Takano and members of Congress to Secretary Doug Collins asking for a VA-wide waiver from Executive Order 14251 (opens in a new tab) · Mark TakanoLetter dated April 2, 2025, with signature pages
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Relevant passage: Letter dated April 2, 2025, with signature pages

About this source

Letter to Secretary Doug Collins, posted by House Veterans' Affairs Committee Democrats, asking him to request a waiver from Executive Order 14251 for the entire VA. It is signed by 22 senators and more than 100 House members, including Senators Patty Murray, Bernie Sanders, Mazie Hirono, Tammy Duckworth and Elissa Slotkin.

Author
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Rep. Mark Takano and other members of Congress
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Original text

Official record of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing on the VA budget request for fiscal years 2026 and 2027

Official record of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing on the VA budget request for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 (opens in a new tab)Serial No. 119-21; remarks of Rep. Nikki Budzinski
Read source (opens in a new tab)

Relevant passage: Serial No. 119-21; remarks of Rep. Nikki Budzinski

About this source

The printed record of the May 15, 2025 hearing at which Secretary Doug Collins testified on the VA budget request, published by the Government Publishing Office. It includes Representative Nikki Budzinski's remarks to Collins on VA employees' collective bargaining rights.

Author
United States House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Original text

Official record of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing Veterans at the Forefront: Secretary Collins on the Future at VA

Official record of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing Veterans at the Forefront: Secretary Collins on the Future at VA (opens in a new tab)S. Hrg. 119-73; questioning of Secretary Doug Collins by Sen. Bernie Sanders
Read source (opens in a new tab)

Relevant passage: S. Hrg. 119-73; questioning of Secretary Doug Collins by Sen. Bernie Sanders

About this source

The printed record of the May 6, 2025 hearing with VA Secretary Doug Collins, published by the Government Publishing Office. Sanders asks Collins whether VA workers who belong to unions are a threat to national security and why the VA eliminated collective bargaining rights.

Author
United States Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Original text

AFGE Local 2305 v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, No. 1:25-cv-00583 (D.R.I.): docket

AFGE Local 2305 v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, No. 1:25-cv-00583 (D.R.I.): docket (opens in a new tab) · United States District Court for the District of Rhode IslandDocket entries 1 to 83, read November 12, 2026 (mirror last updated November 10, 2026)
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Relevant passage: Docket entries 1 to 83, read November 12, 2026 (mirror last updated November 10, 2026)

About this source

Court docket as mirrored by CourtListener (RECAP). Entries read include the November 4, 2025 complaint, the March 13, 2026 preliminary injunction, the enforcement orders of March 27 and August 7, 2026, the First Circuit's May 16 and October 2, 2026 rulings, and the unions' October 16, 2026 motion for an indicative ruling, with the government's opposition filed October 28 and the unions' reply filed November 3. No ruling on that motion appears in the mirrored docket.

Author
U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Original text

Executive Order 14251: Exclusions From Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs

Executive Order 14251: Exclusions From Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs (opens in a new tab) · The White HouseFull text of the order
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Relevant passage: Full text of the order

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Executive order signed March 27, 2025 that excludes the Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies from the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute on national security grounds, while keeping police officers, firefighters and security guards covered, and lets the secretaries of defense and veterans affairs suspend the exclusion for subdivisions.

Author
President Donald J. Trump
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Reporting

Federal News Network: Judge orders VA again to maintain collective bargaining with AFGE

Federal News Network: Judge orders VA again to maintain collective bargaining with AFGE (opens in a new tab)Article text
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Relevant passage: Article text

About this source

Report on Judge DuBose's August 7, 2026 order granting AFGE's second motion to enforce the preliminary injunction after the VA told the union on July 24 that it would treat the contract as ending on August 8.

Author
Drew Friedman
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Reporting

Federal News Network: VA reverses course, restores union contracts following judge's rebuke

Federal News Network: VA reverses course, restores union contracts following judge's rebuke (opens in a new tab)Article text
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Relevant passage: Article text

About this source

Report that the VA restored its collective bargaining agreements with six unions while preliminary injunctions remain in effect, after Judge DuBose granted AFGE's motion to enforce and a separate preliminary injunction in a case led by National Nurses United.

Author
Jory Heckman
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Reporting

Federal News Network: VA re-terminates AFGE contract for 300K employees, despite court order to restore it

Federal News Network: VA re-terminates AFGE contract for 300K employees, despite court order to restore it (opens in a new tab)Article text
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Relevant passage: Article text

About this source

Report on Secretary Collins's March 26, 2026 memo re-terminating the AFGE master agreement and the March 27 hearing at which Judge DuBose said the re-termination did not comply with her order.

Author
Jory Heckman
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Reporting

Government Executive: Appeals court upholds order reinstating VA's union contracts

Government Executive: Appeals court upholds order reinstating VA's union contracts (opens in a new tab)Article text
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Relevant passage: Article text

About this source

Report on the First Circuit panel's May 16, 2026 decision denying the VA's request to stay the preliminary injunction while staying the parts of the enforcement order that required compliance with the contract in both form and substance.

Author
Erich Wagner
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Reporting

Government Executive: Union seeks new avenue to restore VA contract

Government Executive: Union seeks new avenue to restore VA contract (opens in a new tab)Article text
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Relevant passage: Article text

About this source

Report on AFGE's October 16, 2026 motion asking Judge DuBose for an indicative ruling that would modify the preliminary injunction to last until a new agreement is negotiated, the union's national bad-faith bargaining grievance, and the government's response to the request for expedited briefing.

Author
Erich Wagner
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Reporting

Government Executive: Appeals court seemingly OKs VA's contested union contract expiration

Government Executive: Appeals court seemingly OKs VA's contested union contract expiration (opens in a new tab)Article text
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Relevant passage: Article text

About this source

Report on the First Circuit's October 2, 2026 order staying Judge DuBose's second enforcement order, quoting the panel's reasoning that the order resolved a contract-interpretation dispute beyond the scope of the original preliminary injunction.

Author
Erich Wagner
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Reporting

Federal News Network: VA says union contract no longer applies after appeals court ruling

Federal News Network: VA says union contract no longer applies after appeals court ruling (opens in a new tab)Article text
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Relevant passage: Article text

About this source

Report that VA revised its collective bargaining guidance on October 8, 2026 to say the AFGE national agreement no longer applies for most bargaining-unit employees, and notified AFGE on October 10 that it considers the agreement expired. A VA spokesperson declined to comment, citing pending litigation.

Author
Drew Friedman
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Reporting

Government Executive: VA allows union contract to expire for most employees

Government Executive: VA allows union contract to expire for most employees (opens in a new tab)Article text
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Relevant passage: Article text

About this source

Report on the VA's message to employees that its AFGE agreement had expired and on guidance from its Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer keeping parts of the contract only for police officers, firefighters and security guards.

Author
Erich Wagner
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Official statement

AFGE: AFGE prepared to fight VA's latest attempt to terminate contract

AFGE: AFGE prepared to fight VA's latest attempt to terminate contract (opens in a new tab) · American Federation of Government EmployeesArticle text
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Relevant passage: Article text

About this source

AFGE post on the First Circuit's October 2, 2026 stay of the district court's second enforcement order and the VA's October 10 notice that it considers the 2023 master agreement expired for employees other than police officers, firefighters and security guards.

Author
American Federation of Government Employees
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Official statement

National Nurses United statement responding to VA collective bargaining agreement termination

National Nurses United statement responding to VA collective bargaining agreement termination (opens in a new tab) · National Nurses UnitedStatement text
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Relevant passage: Statement text

About this source

Statement by National Nurses United on the VA's termination of its contracts with five unions, which the union says covered some 16,000 nurses it represents at 23 VA facilities.

Author
National Nurses United
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Official statement

Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee release: Blumenthal applauds court decision ordering restoration of AFGE VA workers' collective bargaining rights

Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee release: Blumenthal applauds court decision ordering restoration of AFGE VA workers' collective bargaining rights (opens in a new tab) · Richard BlumenthalPress release text
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Relevant passage: Press release text

About this source

Statement by Senator Richard Blumenthal, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, after the court granted AFGE/NVAC's motion for a preliminary injunction ordering the VA to reinstate the master collective bargaining agreement.

Author
Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Original text

S. 3174, VA CBA Act of 2025 (119th Congress): cosponsors

S. 3174, VA CBA Act of 2025 (119th Congress): cosponsors (opens in a new tab)Cosponsors tab
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Relevant passage: Cosponsors tab

About this source

Congress.gov record for S. 3174, introduced November 10, 2025 by Senator Richard Blumenthal and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. It lists Senators Lisa Murkowski and Chuck Schumer as original cosponsors as of that date.

Author
Congress.gov, Library of Congress
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Official statement

Murkowski release: Murkowski and colleagues introduce bill to restore VA employees' collective bargaining rights

Murkowski release: Murkowski and colleagues introduce bill to restore VA employees' collective bargaining rights (opens in a new tab) · Lisa MurkowskiPress release text
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Relevant passage: Press release text

About this source

Release announcing that Senators Lisa Murkowski, Richard Blumenthal and Chuck Schumer and Representative Delia Ramirez introduced the VA Care and Benefits Accountability Act, which would restore cancelled VA union contracts and nullify Executive Orders 14251 and 14343, with statements by Murkowski, Blumenthal, Alaska AFL-CIO President Joelle Hall and NFFE President Randy Erwin.

Author
Office of Senator Lisa Murkowski
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Official statement

House Veterans' Affairs Committee Democrats release: Ranking Member Takano and committee members slam Secretary Collins's gutting of VA employee union rights

House Veterans' Affairs Committee Democrats release: Ranking Member Takano and committee members slam Secretary Collins's gutting of VA employee union rights (opens in a new tab) · Mark TakanoPress release text
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Relevant passage: Press release text

About this source

Joint statement by Ranking Member Mark Takano and ten Democratic members of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs after the VA announced it would terminate collective bargaining agreements for most bargaining-unit employees.

Author
House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Democrats
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Original text

Doug Collins memorandum to AFGE: notice of termination of collective bargaining agreement, March 26, 2026

Doug Collins memorandum to AFGE: notice of termination of collective bargaining agreement, March 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · United States Department of Veterans AffairsDocument 36-1 in AFGE Local 2305 v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, No. 1:25-cv-00583 (D.R.I.), filed March 26, 2026, pages 1 to 5
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Relevant passage: Document 36-1 in AFGE Local 2305 v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, No. 1:25-cv-00583 (D.R.I.), filed March 26, 2026, pages 1 to 5

About this source

Memorandum from Secretary Collins to AFGE National President Everett Kelley and NVAC President Mary Jean Burke, filed with the court as an exhibit to the government's status report. It gives notice that the VA is terminating the 2023 master agreement for employees covered by Executive Order 14251 and sets out the department's reasons. Court record as mirrored by CourtListener (RECAP). Read in full.

Author
Douglas A. Collins, Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Original text

AFGE Local 2305 v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, No. 1:25-cv-00583 (D.R.I.): order granting motion to enforce preliminary injunction

AFGE Local 2305 v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, No. 1:25-cv-00583 (D.R.I.): order granting motion to enforce preliminary injunction (opens in a new tab) · United States District Court for the District of Rhode IslandDocument 39, filed March 27, 2026
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Relevant passage: Document 39, filed March 27, 2026

About this source

Court record as mirrored by CourtListener (RECAP). Two-page order holding that the VA's March 26 re-termination letter did not comply with the preliminary injunction, ordering the VA to notify bargaining units that the letter has no force or effect, and ordering it to show cause why the re-termination should not be treated as contempt. Read in full.

Author
U.S. District Judge Melissa R. DuBose
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Original text

AFGE Local 2305 v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, No. 1:25-cv-00583 (D.R.I.): memorandum and order granting preliminary injunction

AFGE Local 2305 v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, No. 1:25-cv-00583 (D.R.I.): memorandum and order granting preliminary injunction (opens in a new tab) · United States District Court for the District of Rhode IslandDocument 30, filed March 13, 2026
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Relevant passage: Document 30, filed March 13, 2026

About this source

Court record as mirrored by CourtListener (RECAP). Memorandum and order granting the unions' motion for a preliminary injunction and directing the VA to reinstate the master agreement and related agreements for the remainder of the agreed-upon term. The court found the unions likely to succeed on their First Amendment retaliation and Administrative Procedure Act claims. Read in full.

Author
U.S. District Judge Melissa R. DuBose
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Official statement

NFFE release: Secretary Doug Collins declares the VA is a national security agency and attacks collective bargaining rights of VA caregivers

NFFE release: Secretary Doug Collins declares the VA is a national security agency and attacks collective bargaining rights of VA caregivers (opens in a new tab) · National Federation of Federal EmployeesPress release text
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Relevant passage: Press release text

About this source

NFFE release responding to the VA's August 6, 2025 notice that it was implementing Executive Order 14251 and no longer recognized the unions representing most of its workforce, with a statement by NFFE National President Randy Erwin.

Author
National Federation of Federal Employees
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Official statement

AFGE release: Court orders restoration of AFGE Veterans Affairs collective bargaining agreement

AFGE release: Court orders restoration of AFGE Veterans Affairs collective bargaining agreement (opens in a new tab) · American Federation of Government EmployeesPress release text
Read source (opens in a new tab)

Relevant passage: Press release text

About this source

AFGE release on Judge Melissa DuBose's March 13, 2026 preliminary injunction reinstating the master agreement between the VA and AFGE's National VA Council, with statements by NVAC President Mary Jean Burke and AFGE National President Everett Kelley.

Author
American Federation of Government Employees
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Official statement

VA release: VA redirects millions in union spending back to veterans

VA release: VA redirects millions in union spending back to veterans (opens in a new tab) · United States Department of Veterans AffairsPress release text
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Relevant passage: Press release text

About this source

VA press release saying the August 6 terminations cut its bargaining-unit workforce from about 375,000 to about 7,000 employees and that it will redirect nearly $45 million a year from union activities, with a statement by Secretary Doug Collins.

Author
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Published
Accessed
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

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Cite this record

Publisher
The Dispute Index
Title
VA ends most union contracts, then treats AFGE's as expired; Collins cites veterans' care and unions call it retaliation
First published
Last updated
Permalink
https://disputeindex.com/cases/va-union-contract-terminations-afge

The Dispute Index. "VA ends most union contracts, then treats AFGE's as expired; Collins cites veterans' care and unions call it retaliation". First published: 2026-11-13. Last updated: 2026-11-13. https://disputeindex.com/cases/va-union-contract-terminations-afge