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VA Terminates Union Contracts for Most of Its Workforce

Officials say freeing 187,000 square feet of office space will enable faster promotions to improve veterans’ services

Overview

  • The VA severed collective bargaining agreements covering about 360,000 of its roughly 450,000 employees after a federal appeals court lifted a preliminary injunction blocking the move.
  • Exemptions apply to approximately 4,000 VA police officers, firefighters and security guards whose contracts remain in place under the executive order.
  • VA Secretary Doug Collins said the terminations implement President Trump’s March executive order to hold poor performers accountable.
  • Department officials estimate reclaiming more than 187,000 square feet of space used by union representatives will redirect resources toward veterans’ care.
  • Unions including AFGE, NAGE, NFFE, NNOC/NNU and SEIU have pledged further legal challenges; union leaders label the move retaliatory.