Trending Now - VA Renews Contract Dispute, Ignoring Court's Directive

WHO:

U.S. District Court Judge Melissa DuBose

VA Secretary Doug Collins

American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)

AFGE National VA Council

Tyler Becker, Justice Department attorney

Travis Silva, attorney representing AFGE

Mary Jean Burke, president of AFGE’s National VA Council

WHAT:

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) re-terminated a labor contract with AFGE, which covers more than 300,000 VA employees.

Judge DuBose described the VA's actions as “blatant disregard” and “blatant disrespect” for her court order.

The VA was ordered to restore its collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with AFGE following a preliminary injunction issued on March 20, 2026.

AFGE filed a motion to enforce the preliminary injunction on March 20, 2026.

The VA was given until April 1, 2026, to prove compliance with the court's order.

WHERE:

Rhode Island (location of the federal court)

The VA is a federal agency operating across the United States.

WHEN:

The preliminary injunction was issued on March 20, 2026.

The VA's re-termination of the CBA occurred on March 26, 2026.

The deadline for the VA to explain its actions is April 1, 2026.

The original termination of the CBA occurred in August 2025.

WHY:

The VA claims the re-termination is based on national security grounds as outlined in President Trump's executive orders.

Trump’s March 2025 executive order eliminated collective bargaining at more than 20 agencies, including the VA.

HOW:

The VA attempted to terminate the CBA again despite the court's preliminary injunction.

The Justice Department argued that AFGE's motion to enforce the injunction was moot due to the re-termination.

Judge DuBose indicated that the VA could seek redress from a higher court but did not follow the proper procedures.

(UPDATED March 28, 2026 17:05 UTC)

In a significant development, U.S. District Court Judge Melissa DuBose criticized the Department of Veterans Affairs for re-terminating a labor contract with the American Federation of Government Employees, which affects over 300,000 VA employees, calling the actions a “blatant disregard” for her court order. This re-termination occurred on March 26, just days after Judge DuBose issued a preliminary injunction on March 20, requiring the VA to restore its collective bargaining agreement, with a compliance deadline set for April 1. The VA claims its actions are based on national security grounds as outlined in President Trump's executive orders, which eliminated collective bargaining at more than 20 agencies, including the VA.