VA Terminates Union Contracts for Majority Workforce, Faces Nationwide Protests

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has terminated collective bargaining agreements for approximately 75% of its unionized workforce, impacting over 377,000 employees nationwide, including staff at VA hospitals in states such as South Dakota, Michigan, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. This move, authorized by a 2025 executive order signed by President Donald Trump, aims to improve veteran care by allowing greater management flexibility to promote high-performing employees and hold poor performers accountable, as stated by VA Secretary Doug Collins. However, the decision has sparked protests and criticism from union leaders and Democratic officials who argue that it undermines worker protections, threatens job security, and removes essential grievance procedures. Local union representatives express concern that without collective bargaining, VA management could impose unfavorable working conditions and conduct reorganizations without employee input. Despite lawsuits challenging the executive order, courts have allowed the administration to proceed with firing union workers during ongoing legal proceedings. VA leadership maintains that ending union contracts will focus resources on veterans' needs and facilitate necessary reforms within the agency.