Blumenthal Applauds Court Decision Ordering Trump Admin to Restore AFGE VA Workers' Collective Bargaining Rights

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today released a statement following a court decision granting American Federation of Government Employees National Veterans Affairs Council's (AFGE/NVAC) motion for a preliminary injunction ordering Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins to reinstate the master collective bargaining agreement between AFGE/NVAC and VA. This follows the Trump Administration's illegal cancellation of VA employees' collective bargaining rights last August.

"VA workers have a legal right to collective bargaining that this Administration illegally stripped away last year. Today's court decision confirms this basic principle-ordering the Trump Administration to immediately reinstate the master collective bargaining agreement between AFGE/NVAC and VA. Veterans deserve a VA workforce that comes forward with concerns about poor patient care, waste, fraud and abuse without fear of retaliation. Unions are essential to this mission, and I will be looking to see that the courts his court uphold all VA employees' collective bargaining rights permanently."

Blumenthal has led the push to restore VA workers' collective bargaining rights and nullify the illegal executive orders removing these employees' collective bargaining rights. Last year, the Ranking Member introduced bipartisan legislation with Senator Lisa Murkowksi (R-AK) and Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) to restore and protect VA employees' collective bargaining rights in response to the Trump Administration's cancellation of union contacts for 80% of VA employees. Their legislation would nullify the illegal Executive Orders from the Trump Administration.

Last August, Trump VA Secretary Doug Collins terminated union contracts for most of VA's bargaining-unit employees-enforcing the executive orders despite ongoing litigation and the Office of Personnel Management's recommendation to wait until court proceedings had been fully resolved. This decision impacted mission-critical positions like mental health providers, nurses, and claims processors. This action stripped employees of certain essential rights that help protect whistleblowers who advocate for accountable leadership and increased support and resources to provide quality, effective, and efficient services to all Americans.