Union (AFGE) Returns to Veterans Administration

BULLETIN

Court Orders Reinstatement of AFGE Master Contract

In what can be described as a landmark decision for federal labor relations, a U.S. District Court has issued a preliminary injunction ordering the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to immediately reinstate its master collective bargaining agreement with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).

This ruling, handed down by Judge Melissa DuBose on March 13, 2026, marks a significant turning point for more than 320,000 federal employees whose workplace protections were summarily stripped away last year causing chaos and confusion not only among employees, but also HR practitioners throughout the Department.

The Legal Turning Point: First Amendment and the APA

The court's decision centers on two critical legal pillars: the First Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).

Judge DuBose found that VA Secretary Doug Collins likely engaged in unconstitutional retaliation when he terminated the AFGE National VA Council (NVAC) contract in August 2025. The court noted that while the VA exempted smaller unions from the termination, it specifically targeted AFGE—a move the judge described as "substantially motivated" by the union’s vocal opposition to administration policies.

Furthermore, the court identified clear violations of the APA. The VA’s justification for the termination—citing a seldom-used national security provision—was deemed "arbitrary and capricious." The court pointed out that internal memos focused on labor costs and "holding poorly performing employees accountable" rather than legitimate national security interests.

Key Takeaways: Union (AFGE) Returns to Veterans Administration

For career federal employees, this decision reinforces the stability of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 and protects the integrity of negotiated agreements.

• Contract Restoration: The Master Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), along with all local and mid-term agreements, is restored.

• Protection Against Retaliation: The ruling affirms that federal agencies cannot terminate labor contracts as a means of silencing protected speech or dissent.

• Adherence to Law: The VA cannot unilaterally "tear up" binding commitments without following the rigorous standards set by federal personnel law.

Restoring the Backbone of the VA

The reinstatement affects a vast cross-section of the VA workforce, including clinicians, claims processors, police officers, and support staff. NVAC President Mary Jean “MJ” Burke emphasized that the "backbone of the VA" is its frontline staff, not senior executives. This injunction ensures that these employees maintain their rights and support systems while the broader litigation continues. As the Union (AFGE) Returns to Veterans Administration, there will significant issues the Department will need to confront. It's past poor decisions are catching up to it.

Is the Veterans Administration Prepared

The short answer is NO. In late December, the Veterans Administration initiated a position re-classification project affecting all GS-0201 Employee Labor Relations Specialists. The objective to eliminate all labor relations duties from all, except ten, employee labor relations specialists across the Department. Insiders believe the intention was to downgrade the grade classification of employee labor relations specialists nationwide. Additionally, all office space previously reserved for local unions was reclaimed by respective agencies. On top of all this, many employee labor relations specialists voluntarily (or involuntarily) separated from the Department through various means such as the DRP, VERA, resignation, FERS Disability, and regular retirement. Simply put, most employee and labor relations offices are critically understaffed and inexperienced at this time.

Monday, March 16, 2026, will likely begin a new and tumultuous period of chaos in the Department of Veterans Affairs. All self-inflicted.