VA ends union contracts for thousands of employees, citing focus on veterans

VIRGINIA. (WWBT) - According to Virginia Mercury, in a sweeping policy shift that could reshape labor relations at one of the largest federal agencies, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has terminated collective bargaining agreements for most of its unionized workforce, citing a need to better serve veterans and implement long-stalled management reforms.

The decision, announced last week, follows an executive order from President Donald Trump that excludes certain agencies from labor-management relations programs on national security grounds.

The VA said it acted under that order to end union contracts covering hundreds of thousands of employees represented by five major labor organizations, including the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the National Association of Government Employees (NAGE), the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU), and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

The implications are particularly significant in Virginia, which is home to more than 700,000 veterans and thousands of VA employees working in hospitals, clinics, and benefits offices across the state — including major medical centers in Richmond, Hampton, and Salem.

The commonwealth also hosts regional benefits offices and serves as headquarters for several federal unions and advocacy organizations.

You can read more here at virginiamercury.com.