FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 07, 2026
August 07, 2026
Contact:
Tim Kauffman
202-374-6491
[email protected]
AFGE NVAC: [email protected]
AFGE National VA Council Applauds Judge’s Decision Affirming Union Contract
Judicial order enforces preliminary injunction preventing VA’s third attempt to terminate union contract covering 320K federal workers
WASHINGTON – The American Federation of Government Employees National Veterans Affairs Council (AFGE/NVAC), the largest union at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) representing more than 320,000 employees, proudly celebrates U.S. District Court Judge Melissa DuBose’s decision today granting the union’s motion to enforce the March 13 preliminary injunction reinstating the largest VA collective bargaining agreement.
Today’s court victory comes after the VA issued AFGE/NVAC written notice on July 24 of its latest plan to “re-terminate” the union’s contract in violation of the preliminary injunction and contrary to the plain language of the parties’ agreement, which provides for an automatic extension pending renegotiation efforts. The parties are currently renegotiating a successor agreement.
In April, the VA sought an emergency stay of the preliminary injunction pending appeal, but a unanimous panel of the First Circuit Court of Appeals denied that request on May 16. This is not the VA’s only attempt to “re-terminate” the master CBA. Judge DuBose also previously found the VA’s previous re-termination efforts to violate the court’s orders.
Judge DuBose heard the AFGE/NVAC’s motion on an expedited briefing schedule, taking into consideration the VA’s plan to re-terminate the contract on Aug. 8. AFGE/NVAC looks forward to continuing to litigate the case on the merits.
AFGE National VA Council President Mary Jean "MJ" Burke issued the following statement:
“Unions that represent federal employees have long been under attack. Why? Because we are the roadblock preventing the privatization of the agencies we swore to protect. No matter how many times we are kicked while we are down, we get back up, brush off the dirt, and get right back in the fight because we believe in the VA’s mission to serve our nation’s veterans. Today’s victory is proof that the law sides with AFGE/NVAC because we fight for what is right.”
AFGE National President Everett Kelley issued the following statement:
“It is shameful that the VA is hellbent on taking union rights away from the hardworking men and women who provide care to America’s veterans, a third of whom are veterans themselves. We are grateful for Judge DuBose’s swift action forcing the VA to recognize our collective bargaining agreement which guarantees these rights, and vow to continue protecting the 320,000 VA employees AFGE proudly represents.”
AFGE/NVAC is represented in this litigation by Keker, Van Nest, & Peters, LLP, Zimmer, Citron & Clarke LLP, and the Law Office of Carly B. Iafrate, PC.
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