Blumenthal Denounces the Trump Admin's Move to Strip Mission-Critical VA Employees of Union Bargaining Rights

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today released a statement condemning the Trump Administration’s Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) announcement that it will terminate union contracts for most of VA’s bargaining-unit employees. This decision will impact nearly 80% of VA’s workforce, including mission-critical positions like mental health providers, nurses, and claims processors.

“The Trump Administration’s move to strip VA and veteran employees of their union bargaining rights is yet another blatant assault against VA’s workforce that will damage veterans’ care and benefits and weaken accountability and oversight at the Department. At a time when VA is already losing tens of thousands of dedicated employees because of its draconian firings and funding cuts—this is a cruel and stupid mistake. As proudly noted by the Administration itself, this order is being carried out by VA Secretary Collins because unions have put the interests of veterans first and fought the Trump VA’s illegal and immoral cuts, firings, and freezes. This assault on VA’s workforce must stop, and I will continue fighting for our veterans, VA employees, and the labor unions who proudly advocate for them.”

This move follows President Trump’s executive order in March to strip labor protections for nearly two-thirds of the federal government, including employees at VA and veterans who make up nearly one-third of the federal workforce. An appeals court ruled this month to allow agencies to proceed with this executive order and cancel collective bargaining agreements. The only occupations exempt at VA are police officers, firefighters, and security guards.

VA’s move strips employees of certain essential rights that help protect for whistleblowers and advocate for increased support and resources to provide quality, effective, and efficient services to all Americans. Under this policy, the unions impacted are the American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO (AFGE), National Association of Government Employees (NAGE), National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU), and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

Under this directive, nearly 400,000 VA employees—almost 25% of which are veterans—have been stripped of their union bargaining rights and protections. Unions provide critical protection and support for employees from retaliation and political interference.

-30-