U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Charles Schumer (D-NY), and U.S. Representative Delia Ramirez (D-IL) have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at restoring collective bargaining rights for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees. The move follows the Trump Administration's cancellation of union contracts affecting 80% of VA workers.
“We must erase Trump’s unlawful executive orders restricting VA workers’ rights to collective bargaining,” said Ranking Member Blumenthal. “VA worker rights are essential to imposing proper oversight and scrutiny and providing veterans the care and compensation they deserve. As this Administration broadly cuts federal employees and their pay, collective bargaining rights are more important than ever.”
Senator Murkowski stated, “Our country made a promise to care for those who have served — and that promise is upheld by ensuring that our Veterans Affairs workforce is able to provide the best possible care to our former servicemembers. That includes upholding their right to collectively bargain so they have access to working conditions that allow them to focus on supporting our veterans. This legislation will defend those who speak up about waste, fraud, and abuse within the Department. When we protect this workforce, we protect veterans’ access to the high-quality care and benefits they’ve earned.”
Leader Schumer commented, “Earlier this year, the Trump administration implemented a cruel, anti-vet, and anti-worker order that compromised the health and livelihood of our nation’s veterans. We now must fight for our VA workforce – many of whom are veterans themselves – and make sure that we defend their right to collective bargaining. Despite what the Trump administration might espouse, strong unions protect workers, promote excellent customer service, and prevent high turnover. Our nation’s heroes deserve nothing less.”
Congresswoman Ramirez added, “VA employees are essential to ensuring the VA effectively serves veterans and meets its mission. Protecting VA employees and their rights ensures we retain the workforce that delivers on the promises we made to our veterans as a nation. As the Trump administration doubles down on their attacks on federal workers, we must reaffirm every worker's right to voice in decisions that affect their work and to be protected from actions that would jeopardize their rights, safety, and dignity. I am proud to work with Senator Blumenthal on legislation that will defend workers' rights.”
The proposed VA Care and Benefits Accountability (VA CBA) Act would reverse cancelled union contracts by nullifying Executive Order 14251 (90 Fed. Reg. 14553) and Executive Order 14343 (90 Fed. Reg. 42683). If passed, it would restore union bargaining rights for nearly 400,000 VA employees—about one-quarter of whom are military veterans.
In August, then-Secretary Doug Collins terminated most union contracts for VA bargaining-unit staff despite ongoing litigation regarding these orders and recommendations from the Office of Personnel Management not to act until court cases were resolved. This action impacted roles such as mental health providers, nurses, claims processors—positions considered critical within the agency—and removed protections designed in part for whistleblowers advocating accountable leadership.
Unions affected include: American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), National Association of Government Employees (NAGE), National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU), as well as Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
Supporters among labor organizations highlighted how restoring these protections could help with employee recruitment/retention while safeguarding both staff interests and veteran services.
“AFGE and its National Veterans Affairs Council (NVAC) strongly support H.R. 6015/S. 3174, the 'VA CBA Act of 2025.' We greatly appreciate Senator Blumenthal and Representative Ramirez for introducing this bill that would restore collective bargaining rights to hundreds of thousands of Department of Veterans Affairs Employees, including those covered by the NVAC CBA, the single largest bargaining unit in the federal workforce,” said AFGE’s NVAC President Mary Jean “MJ” Burke.“Passing this legislation would restore protections for VA employees and allow unions to bargain and grieve when a problem occurs in VA facilities across the country.Restoring these rights will help the VA with recruitment and retention,and enable VA employees,a third of whom are veterans themselves,to better serve veterans.”
“NFFE strongly supports H.R. 6015/S. 3174,the VA CBA Act of 2025,and urges its swift passage,”said National Federation of Federal Employees’(NFFE-IAM)National President Randy Erwin.“This legislation is essential to restoring collective bargaining rights for hundreds of thousands of VA employees—many of them veterans—so they can speak out about fraud,waste,abuse or management failures without fear of retaliation.At a time when outside interests increasingly pressure the VA to prioritize private profit over patient care these protections are more critical than ever.Collectorsive bargaining is not just about supporting employees;it ensures they have confidence/security hold management accountable promises make veterans every day.”
“You can’t claim support veterans while breaking backs people care them.When VA employees lose right organize advocate safe staffing fair treatment,it’s veterans suffer,”said Common Defense Political Director Naveed Shah.“The Veterans Affairs Care Benefits Accountability Act restores balance reaffirms simple truth:veterans deserve strong public staffed professionals voice job.Common Defense thanks Senators Blumenthal Murkowski leadership standing up protecting system our depend on.”
