AFGE Local 1061

🚨ONLY 9 DAYS LEFT! Take Action to Protect VA Workers’ Rights! 🚨 #CallCollins

The Trump administration previously issued an executive order that would strip collective bargaining rights from over 300,000 VA employees—an attack on veterans, caregivers, and public servants who dedicate their lives to serving those who served our country.

Who Is Being Excluded?

Section 2 of the executive order explicitly excludes essential personnel, including:

• Police Officers
• Firefighters
• Security Guards

These are the very individuals who protect and serve our VA facilities every day, and their rights are now at risk. Local 1061 represents many of these excluded personnel, and we must stand together to protect their rights.

More Exclusions Are Possible

Even more alarming, Section 4 of the executive order gives VA Secretary Collins the authority to exclude additional workers from collective bargaining rights. This section allows the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense to suspend bargaining rights for any additional employees they choose—simply by certifying that applying the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute would be inconsistent with national security.

This means that doctors, nurses, and other bedside caregivers—who have nothing to do with national security—could be stripped of their collective bargaining rights at any time. It is clear that providing medical care to veterans is not a national security issue, and this order is being used to attack VA employees and their workplace protections.

🚨 ONLY 9 DAYS LEFT! 🚨 Secretary Collins has the authority to exempt the vast majority of VA employees from this executive order that illegally strips collective bargaining rights from federal workers.

TAKE ACTION NOW!

We need YOU to call your members of Congress TODAY and urge them to tell VA Secretary Collins to issue an order certifying that the provisions of the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute can be applied to VA employees.

📞 Make the call here:
🔗 Urge Congress to Protect VA Workers

🔗 Learn more: afge.org/afgestrong

📢 Stay updated and follow the National VA Council on Facebook:
🔗 National VA Council Facebook Page

Let’s stand together to protect the rights of VA workers and the care our veterans depend on.

#CallCollins #AFGE #NVAC #SavetheVA

Thank you for taking action on this critical issue!

Now, more than ever, it is essential that we as a movement look back on the leaders who have brought us to where we are today as we prepare for the fight ahead. The inspiring stories of yesterday will empower us for the challenges of tomorrow. Understanding this, AFGE HISCO will be dedicating time to remembering the exceptional life story of American labor leader and civil rights activist Cesar Chavez. Chavez is an undeniably powerful role model for activists across the labor movement today, and AFGE HISCO wants to make sure we continue to tell his story. With the help of WFP, AFGE HISCO will give an informative presentation on the life and legacy of Cesar Chavez, the impacts of his work today, and how we can remember him going forward in the fight for civil and workers’ rights. Today, Chavez would have turned 98 years old. Don’t forget to register for this important presentation: Remembering the Life of Cesar Chavez Monday, March 31, 2025, from 7-8:30pm ET (TONIGHT) Register here We look forward to seeing you at our event this evening!In Solidarity,AFGE HISCO Executive Board

The article “Veterans Affairs Research Under Threat” was published in JAMA Internal Medicine on March 28, 2025.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2832227

The article “Veterans Affairs Research Under Threat” was written by:

• Stephan D. Fihn, MD, MPH
• David Atkins, MD, MPH
• Timothy O’Leary, MD, PhD
• Kenneth W. Kizer, MD, MPH, DCM

All authors are former employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The article “Veterans Affairs Research Under Threat” highlights the risk of severe funding cuts and personnel decisions impacting the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) intramural research program. While national attention has focused on cuts to the NIH and NSF, the VA’s research—critical to veterans’ health—faces potential devastation. The VA research program, which has historically driven major medical advancements and trained top physicians, supports 7,000 active projects, including studies on PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and suicide prevention.

The program’s funding accounts for just 0.3% of the VA’s budget but has led to innovations like the cardiac pacemaker and nicotine patch. Arbitrary personnel freezes and dismissals are disrupting ongoing clinical trials, including those for cancer treatments and drug overdose prevention. The loss of experienced VA researchers threatens the quality of veteran care and scientific progress.

The article calls for urgent action from the medical and scientific community to protect VA research and prevent long-term damage to veterans’ healthcare and medical innovation.

As dedicated professionals serving our veterans at GLA, we recognize the critical importance of maintaining high-quality patient care. The VA’s Return to Office (RTO) initiative presents unique challenges for clinical roles, particularly where remote or hybrid work has demonstrably improved access to care, reduced wait times, and supported provider well-being.

The American Psychological Association and American Psychiatric Association (APA) has taken an active stance in urging VA Secretary Collins to exempt clinical positions from the RTO mandate where clinically indicated. We have an opportunity to strengthen this effort by encouraging our respective professional organizations to join in advocating for this exemption.

I urge you to reach out to your national and state professional associations whether it be the AMA, ANA, NASW, AOTA, APTA, or other organizations to ask them to support the APA’s position. A collective voice will reinforce the need for evidence-based policies that prioritize Veteran care and provider sustainability.

Together, we can ensure that policies are shaped with clinical best practices in mind.

Thank you for your time and advocacy for promote the best possible care for our Veterans.

Update March 29: The article “Veterans Affairs Research Under Threat” was published in JAMA Internal Medicine on March 28, 2025.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2832227

The article “Veterans Affairs Research Under Threat” was written by:

• Stephan D. Fihn, MD, MPH
• David Atkins, MD, MPH
• Timothy O’Leary, MD, PhD
• Kenneth W. Kizer, MD, MPH, DCM

All authors are former employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The article “Veterans Affairs Research Under Threat” highlights the risk of severe funding cuts and personnel decisions impacting the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) intramural research program. While national attention has focused on cuts to the NIH and NSF, the VA’s research—critical to veterans’ health—faces potential devastation. The VA research program, which has historically driven major medical advancements and trained top physicians, supports 7,000 active projects, including studies on PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and suicide prevention.

The program’s funding accounts for just 0.3% of the VA’s budget but has led to innovations like the cardiac pacemaker and nicotine patch. Arbitrary personnel freezes and dismissals are disrupting ongoing clinical trials, including those for cancer treatments and drug overdose prevention. The loss of experienced VA researchers threatens the quality of veteran care and scientific progress.

The article calls for urgent action from the medical and scientific community to protect VA research and prevent long-term damage to veterans’ healthcare and medical innovation.

It is deeply disappointing to share that President Trump has canceled collective bargaining at Veterans Affairs and many other locations. This decision significantly impacts labor rights, and legal challenges are likely to follow. I’ll post the Executive Order, fact sheet and OPM guidance below. Legal action is expected and this will likely be tied up in the courts for some time.

This morning, I shared the following message with my coworkers, which I want to pass along to you as well:

“My advice aligns with Mr. Merchant’s recent town hall recommendations. Wait for VA leadership to provide guidance and interpretation before taking any action. I wanted to share this news with SAM/SLO first, but apart from sharing the links, I have no further advice. As always, I’m proud to have represented you as you deliver world-class care to our Central Coast Veterans. Santa Maria/SLO has consistently demonstrated the most dedication and expertise among the VA workers I’ve had the privilege of working with throughout my 26-year career.”

I’ll continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available

As dedicated professionals serving our veterans at GLA, we recognize the critical importance of maintaining high-quality patient care. The VA’s Return to Office (RTO) initiative presents unique challenges for clinical roles, particularly where remote or hybrid work has demonstrably improved access to care, reduced wait times, and supported provider well-being.

The American Psychological Association and American Psychiatric Association (APA) has taken an active stance in urging VA Secretary Collins to exempt clinical positions from the RTO mandate where clinically indicated. We have an opportunity to strengthen this effort by encouraging our respective professional organizations to join in advocating for this exemption.

I urge you to reach out to your national and state professional associations whether it be the AMA, ANA, NASW, AOTA, APTA, or other organizations to ask them to support the APA’s position. A collective voice will reinforce the need for evidence-based policies that prioritize Veteran care and provider sustainability.

Together, we can ensure that policies are shaped with clinical best practices in mind.

Thank you for your time and advocacy for promote the best possible care for our Veterans.