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.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
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
Doug CollinsDirectly involved
Timeline
17 timeline entries on this page. Dates: March 27, 2025 to October 16, 2026
March 2025
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
April 2025
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
August 2025
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 textUnions 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.
September 2025
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
November 2025
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 textSenators 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
March 2026
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 textCollins 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.
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.
April 2026
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.
May 2026
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.
[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)
July 2026
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.
August 2026
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.
[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)
October 2026
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.
[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 textVA 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.
[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.
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.
[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)
- VA release: VA terminates union contracts for most bargaining-unit employees · United States Department of Veterans AffairsPress release text
- VA release: VA redirects millions in union spending back to veterans · United States Department of Veterans AffairsPress release text
- 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
Disputed claim
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)
- 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
- 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
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)
- AFGE: AFGE prepared to fight VA's latest attempt to terminate contract · American Federation of Government EmployeesArticle text
Response record
Responses
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
4 matching responses. Newest first.
United States Department of Veterans AffairsFederal department, in a message to employees obtained by Government ExecutiveDirectly involvedBefore 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 excusedResponding 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.
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.
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."
CondemnedResponding 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 textWhy 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.
Doug CollinsSecretary of Veterans Affairs, in a memo to AFGE's national president and the president of its National VA CouncilDirectly involvedBefore 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 excusedResponding 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 5AFGE 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, 2026Why 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.
- 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 excusedResponding 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 textWhy 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.
Sources
(33)
Official statement
VA release: VA terminates union contracts for most bargaining-unit employees
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
Official statement
Common Defense release: Veterans fiercely condemn Trump administration after stripping union rights from Veteran Affairs workers
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
Original text
Chip Rogers column in TheBlaze: Unions can't hide behind veterans any more
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
Official statement
Pappas release: Pappas slams Trump move to end collective bargaining for federal employees
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
Original text
Letter from Minnesota's Democratic congressional delegation to Secretary Doug Collins on VA workforce data in Minnesota
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
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
Official statement
Kennedy release: Kennedy, Ramirez lead House Democrats in demanding VA reinstate collective bargaining agreements for 377,000 workers
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
Original text
Letter from Reps. Delia Ramirez and Tim Kennedy and House Democrats to Secretary Doug Collins on the terminated VA union contracts
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
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
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
Original text
Official record of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing on the VA budget request for fiscal years 2026 and 2027
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
Original text
Official record of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing Veterans at the Forefront: Secretary Collins on the Future at VA
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
Original text
AFGE Local 2305 v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, No. 1:25-cv-00583 (D.R.I.): docket
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
Original text
Executive Order 14251: Exclusions From Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs
Relevant passage: Full text of the order
About this source
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
Reporting
Federal News Network: Judge orders VA again to maintain collective bargaining with AFGE
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
Reporting
Federal News Network: VA reverses course, restores union contracts following judge's rebuke
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
Reporting
Federal News Network: VA re-terminates AFGE contract for 300K employees, despite court order to restore it
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
Reporting
Government Executive: Appeals court upholds order reinstating VA's union contracts
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
Reporting
Government Executive: Union seeks new avenue to restore VA contract
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
Reporting
Government Executive: Appeals court seemingly OKs VA's contested union contract expiration
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
Reporting
Federal News Network: VA says union contract no longer applies after appeals court ruling
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
Reporting
Government Executive: VA allows union contract to expire for most employees
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
Official statement
AFGE: AFGE prepared to fight VA's latest attempt to terminate contract
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
Official statement
National Nurses United statement responding to VA collective bargaining agreement termination
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
Official statement
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee release: Blumenthal applauds court decision ordering restoration of AFGE VA workers' collective bargaining rights
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
Original text
S. 3174, VA CBA Act of 2025 (119th Congress): cosponsors
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
Official statement
Murkowski release: Murkowski and colleagues introduce bill to restore VA employees' collective bargaining rights
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
Official statement
House Veterans' Affairs Committee Democrats release: Ranking Member Takano and committee members slam Secretary Collins's gutting of VA employee union rights
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
Original text
Doug Collins memorandum to AFGE: notice of termination of collective bargaining agreement, March 26, 2026
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
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
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
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
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
Official statement
NFFE release: Secretary Doug Collins declares the VA is a national security agency and attacks collective bargaining rights of VA caregivers
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
Official statement
AFGE release: Court orders restoration of AFGE Veterans Affairs collective bargaining agreement
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
Official statement
VA release: VA redirects millions in union spending back to veterans
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
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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