Veterans Affairs Ends Collective Bargaining Deals With Major Federal Unions

The Department of Veterans Affairs is set to terminate the majority of its collective bargaining agreements with federal unions. This significant decision will affect hundreds of thousands of VA employees and potentially escalate the ongoing labor conflicts within the administration.

The decision affects individuals associated with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the National Association of Government Employees (NAGE), the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), the National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU), and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). AFGE represents approximately 300,000 employees within the VA. Unionization accounts for approximately 80% of the VA's workforce, which includes 450,000 employees.

VA Secretary Doug Collins stood by the decision, viewing it as a move to enhance services for veterans. “Frequently, organizations representing VA staff act contrary to the welfare of veterans, while shielding and rewarding underperforming employees,” Collins stated. “We are committed to ensuring that our resources and staff are dedicated to delivering exceptional care.”

The recent policy change comes after several months of escalating tensions between the unions and the administration. In April, the VA ceased deducting union dues from the majority of paychecks following an executive order that restricts labor-management relations in certain federal agencies. This week, a federal appeals court ruling has enabled department heads to move forward with modifications to collective bargaining agreements, setting the stage for the terminations scheduled for Wednesday.

Union leaders strongly disapproved of the action. AFGE National President Everett Kelley has made serious allegations against the VA, claiming that it has retaliated against employees who They have stood up against what he describes as policies that are "illegal, anti-worker, and anti-veteran." Labeling it "class warfare," National Nurses United pledged to contest the ruling in court, asserting that the constitutional safeguard of collective bargaining rights is being violated.

The unions representing approximately 4,000 VA police officers, firefighters, and security guards will remain unaffected by the termination order. Officials announced that the adjustment will also free up over 187,000 square feet of office space currently occupied by union representatives.

As 2025 began, federal unions were representing over 1.3 million government employees from a range of agencies.

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