FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2026
March 22, 2026
Contact:
- NVAC Communications
- AFGE Communications
AFGE National VA Council Asks Judge to Force VA to Comply with Court Order Restoring Union Contract
Categories:
VA
Veterans Affairs department refuses to restore AFGE NVAC contract following recent judge order
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, on Friday filed a motion asking U.S. District Court Judge Melissa DuBose to compel the VA’s compliance with her March 13 decision ordering the restoration of AFGE’s master collective bargaining agreement with the VA and all subsidiary agreements.
Judge DuBose’s preliminary injunction ordered the VA to reinstate AFGE’s master collective bargaining agreement pending resolution of a lawsuit filed by AFGE/NVAC challenging its termination by VA Secretary Doug Collin’s on Aug. 6, 2025. Judge DuBose found that Secretary Collins and the VA likely violated the First Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act by terminating the contract.
In the week since Judge DuBose’s decision, the VA has made no genuine efforts to reinstate the contract. AFGE/NVAC has made good faith attempts to discuss implementation, but the VA has refused to act. VA facilities across the country continue to ignore the court’s order and refuse to honor the contract, depriving employees of their rights to parental leave benefits, fair disciplinary procedures, grievance rights, and other protections that enable VA employees to serve America’s veterans.
National VA Council President Mary Jean “MJ” Burke issued the following statement:
“Secretary Collins loves to preach about accountability. When a nurse, social worker, or housekeeper fails to comply with an order, the VA is quick to call them “insubordinate” or label them as a “poor performer.” If they’re fortunate, that employee might have an opportunity to answer a few questions before being suspended or fired. That’s what “accountability” looks like in this administration for a front-line employee. But when it’s senior leaders at VA Central Office refusing to comply with a federal court injunction for more than a week, Secretary Collins turns the other cheek. Why are the standards different for senior leaders? Because it was never about accountability. It’s about union busting, retaliation, and depriving employees of the hard-earned benefits of their union contract. We will not tolerate it. Veterans and their families receive the best care when VA employees have a voice in the workplace. That voice is their union. We are taking the VA back to court to do what’s right. Our members are counting on us, and NVAC will not let them down.”
AFGE National President Everett Kelley issued the following statement:
“AFGE members took Secretary Collins and the VA to court to challenge the unlawful termination of their union contract. The VA protested, arguing that if they lost, they would have to restore rights and benefits for the people who care for our nation’s veterans. The VA lost. The court ordered reinstatement of AFGE’s contract. Now, despite telling the court exactly what compliance would require, the VA is refusing to follow the court’s order and has failed to reinstate a single one of our members’ rights. Secretary Collins cannot tell a federal judge one thing and then pretend he doesn’t understand what the ruling means. We are going back to court to hold the VA to its legal obligations.”
AFGE/NVAC is represented in this litigation by Keker, Van Nest, & Peters, LLP and the Law Office of Carly B. Iafrate, PC.
###
Click here to Donate to the AFGE Federal Employee Defense Fund.
For the latest AFGE news and information, visit the AFGE Media Center.
Follow us on:
