Month: April 2025

#CallCollins

🚨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!

Protecting Patient Confidentiality: Why GLA Mental Health Workers Should Be Exempt from RTO

Please review “New Policies Affecting Patient Confidentiality and Privacy in Mental Health Care” at the following link:

https://updates.apaservices.org/new-policies-affecting-patient-confidentiality-and-privacy-in-mental-health-care

The recent return-to-office (RTO) mandate for VA mental health professionals, including those at the Greater Los Angeles (GLA) VA, raises serious concerns about patient confidentiality and the quality of care for veterans. Many VA facilities do not have sufficient private spaces for mental health providers, forcing clinicians to conduct sensitive therapy sessions in shared or open environments. This directly conflicts with ethical guidelines from the American Psychological Association (APA) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements, both of which mandate the protection of patient confidentiality.

The APA has already voiced concerns about the impact of RTO mandates on patient privacy. Without secure and private spaces, veterans may feel uncomfortable seeking or continuing mental health care, which could negatively affect their well-being. Additionally, conducting therapy in non-confidential environments increases the risk of HIPAA violations if sensitive patient information is overheard or exposed.

To uphold ethical standards, ensure compliance with privacy laws, and provide high-quality care for veterans, GLA mental health workers should be exempt from the RTO requirement. Remote work allows providers to maintain confidentiality, foster trust with patients, and continue delivering effective mental health support without unnecessary disruptions.

As a federal employee, it’s crucial to be aware of your rights regarding reasonable accommodation.

Hello everyone, I want to take a moment to sincerely thank Local 17 for their incredible dedication and hard work. This video is a direct result of their efforts, and it stands as a testament to their commitment to making a difference. Their support, solidarity, and determination continue to inspire and uplift our community. Thank you, Local 17, for all that you do!

📢 SIGN UP FOR E-DUES TODAY! 👉 https://join.afge.org