Category: Uncategorized

Judge William Alsup of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California ruled that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) exceeded its authority by instructing agencies to terminate employees based on fabricated performance issues. This lawsuit, filed by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and its partner organizations in February, was a response to OPM’s directive that six agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, were to carry out these mass terminations. Although agencies are not obligated to rehire the affected workers, the court mandated that they inform these individuals that their termination was not due to performance or misconduct. Additionally, agencies must rectify the employees’ personnel records to accurately reflect this information. This ruling is a pivotal step towards justice for those who have been unjustly terminated and underscores the significance of due process for federal employees. Your union remains steadfast in its commitment to fighting for you, both on the streets, in the halls of Congress, and in the courts.

On August 29, 2025, the AFGE National VA Council filed a National Grievance against the Department of Veterans Affairs for refusing to recognize our designated union representatives

This grievance comes after the VA unilaterally terminated our collective bargaining agreement following Executive Order 14251, which attempts to strip bargaining rights from the majority of federal employees. The VA has since taken the unprecedented step of denying AFGE leaders access to union offices, resources, and even recognition as representatives—actions that directly violate federal law, the Master Agreement, and decades of precedent.

Across the country, union presidents and representatives have been told they can no longer serve in their roles, even when representing Exempted Employees (police officers, firefighters, and security guards), or when retirees are acting in union service. These actions undermine not only our union’s representational capacity but also your rights as employees to fair representation and collective bargaining.

The grievance demands that the VA:

• Return to the status quo ante (before the unlawful terminations).
• Recognize and fully engage with AFGE representatives as required by law.
• Make-whole any adversely affected employees under the Back Pay Act.
• Comply with the Master Agreement and federal labor law.
• Issue notice of its violations to all bargaining unit employees.

We will continue to fight vigorously to defend your rights and ensure that union representation is not stripped away under unlawful pretenses. The grievance process is ongoing, and we will keep you updated on developments as they unfold.

In the meantime, your solidarity and support are crucial. Please stay engaged, share this information with colleagues, and reach out with any questions. Together, we remain strong.

Local 1061 and AFGE remain steadfast in our commitment to advocate for and advance both the quality of care our Veterans receive and the working conditions of every VA employee. We are still in the fight, and your continued support is critical to that mission.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve received many questions regarding how to cancel E-Dues. While I hope you will remain a member and continue to support AFGE’s efforts, I want to ensure that members have access to the information they are seeking.

“To request cancellation of your membership, it is best to contact your AFGE Local directly.  Local Presidents and Treasurers can drop membership, where approved, via their MyLocal profile.” for Local 1061 contact info please visit: https://glaunion.com/contact-us-2/

AFGE E-Dues Member FAQ: https://www.afge.org/common-pages/e-dues/e-dues-member-faq/

Direct link to cancel E-Dues: https://joinafge.formstack.com/forms/request_for_termination_of_afge_membership

Our strength comes from solidarity, and I encourage you to stay engaged and united with your fellow members as we face the challenges ahead. Please consider joining at https://join.afge.org/L1061

On Aug 7, at 7:01 PM PST, I received the first official notice that the Department of Veterans Affairs has unilaterally terminated our collective bargaining agreement. The attached “Order to Return to Duty” (issued by VISN 22 leadership) is now the formal directive stripping union representatives of our rights, removing access to union offices, and ending the use of official time.

This action follows Executive Order 14251 and the VA Secretary’s decision to revoke CBAs with AFGE, NAGE, SEIU, NNU, and NFFE—with no regard for the government’s own prior assurances. The administration had testified and pledged that no union rights would be removed until litigation was complete. That promise has now been broken.

Additionally, Secretary Collins’ decision is inconsistent with guidance from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which instructs agencies “not to terminate any CBAs until the conclusion of litigation.” It also runs contrary to recent representations made by the administration in federal court, where they assured the judiciary that union contracts were not being terminated. https://www.afge.org/globalassets/documents/2025-docs/faqs-for-eo14251-exclusions-from-federal-labor-manage.pdf

You can read more about this alarming development in the GovExec article:
🔗 VA Terminates Most of Its Union Contracts

We want to be absolutely clear:
AFGE is still here. We are still your union. We are still fighting.

The decision to dismantle our rights does not eliminate our voice. We are actively pursuing every legal and organizational channel available to challenge this action. But we need your help. If you’re already a member, stay engaged. If you haven’t joined, now is the time.

Our strength is in our solidarity.
Please stay in the fight. Stay in the union.

https://join.afge.org/L1061

In unity and resistance,
Gary Lockem
Union Steward, AFGE Local 1061

Info about TheCivDiv on his YouTube page:

Mission: Educate to give Veterans the power to submit their own claims and/or speak with a VSO intelligently about their claim to ultimately disrupt the market against insane claim consulting companies charging 5x or 6x the increase on future benefits.

About me: My name is Clay Simms and I’m the creator of TheCivDiv. I served in the US Marine Corps for 10 years. 2011 – 2015: Infantry 2015 – 2019: Psychological Operations 2019 – 2021: Reserve PSYOP In 2019 I began my transition after completing a horrendous Transition Readiness Seminar. I used my skill set from PSYOP and IO to land a government contracting position and eventually became Federal employee for the Army.

In 2019 I submitted my first claim with a VSO that I would soon learn did NOT understand the process. That is what started my VA Disability journey to learn the process myself. By helping my friends and reading, a lot of reading, I am now able to share my knowledge and experience with the Veteran community.

On June 25, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction, blocking the Trump administration’s attempt to strip union rights from nearly one million federal employees. This decision comes after six unions, including our own AFGE, challenged the March 27 executive order in court. The judge found it likely that the administration violated the law by retaliating against federal employees for exercising their constitutional rights.

“This ruling is a resounding victory for labor unions and federal workers who keep our government running every day,” said NVAC President Alma L. Lee. “The court rightly recognized that retaliating against workers for exercising their rights is not only illegal—it’s un-American.”

The executive order in question attempted to revoke collective bargaining rights from over 950,000 federal employees, including many at the VA, EPA, and other civilian agencies—none of which have a primary function related to national security. The administration claimed “national security” as justification, but the court saw through this argument and recognized it as unlawful retaliation.

AFGE National President Everett Kelley summed it up perfectly:

“Federal employees have had the right to join a union and bargain collectively for decades… Revoking these rights was clearly a retaliatory attempt to bust federal unions and wreak havoc on our nation’s workforce and the services they provide to the American people.”

This decision is a powerful affirmation of the First and Fifth Amendments, our collective bargaining agreements, and the rule of law. Most importantly, it’s a testament to what we can achieve when we stand together.

Help Us Stay Strong: Make the Switch to EDues

In light of these attacks on our rights, it’s more important than ever to protect your union membership. The best way to do that is by switching to EDues—AFGE’s secure, electronic dues system. EDues ensures your membership is not dependent on management-controlled payroll systems and protects your ability to stay in the fight.

It’s quick and easy. Visit https://join.afge.org/L1061 and make the switch today.

By switching to EDues, you’re helping build a union that’s independent, resilient, and ready to defend your rights—no matter who’s in office.

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This court ruling is a powerful reminder that we are stronger together. Let’s keep that momentum going by staying informed, organized, and committed to each other.

The latest article from The American Prospect, titled “VA Secretary Collins: Indifferent to Public’s and Congressional Opposition to His Gutting Veterans’ Care”, sounds the alarm on a growing crisis at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Since his appointment, VA Secretary Doug Collins has pushed through sweeping workforce cuts, canceled critical contracts, and ignored the concerns of frontline workers, lawmakers, and veterans alike.

For those of us in the labor movement, this is more than just a VA issue—it’s a direct attack on the rights of unionized federal employees and a clear example of how privatization and austerity hurt both workers and the communities we serve. Collins’ actions threaten not only the care our veterans depend on, but also the job security and professional integrity of thousands of union nurses, doctors, and staff who make the VA run.

This article is a must-read for every union member who believes in quality public services, respect for the workforce, and the power of collective voice. Our fight to protect veterans’ care is also a fight to defend the dignity of public service workers across the country.

On May 22, 2025, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston issued a preliminary injunction halting the Trump administration’s plan to implement mass layoffs and reorganizations across 22 federal agencies. This decision comes in response to a lawsuit filed by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and other organizations, challenging Executive Order 14210, which aimed to reduce the federal workforce by up to 260,000 positions. 

Judge Illston’s ruling emphasizes that such sweeping changes require Congressional approval and cannot be executed unilaterally by the executive branch.

The Court therefore ORDERS that federal agency defendants

(1) rescind any RIFs issued pursuant to Executive Order 14210 and

(2) transfer any federal employees who were moved into

administrative leave status to effectuate Executive Order 14210 back

to the status they held prior to being placed on such leave; but the

Court STAYS these two components of retrospective relief for the

duration of any appeal of this injunctive order.

However, the government has appealed this decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, signaling that this legal battle is far from over. While the injunction remains in place for now, we must stay vigilant as the appeal process unfolds.

This case highlights the critical importance of union representation and collective action. It’s a clear reminder that when we stand together, we can protect the federal workforce from overreach and ensure our rights are respected.

We will continue to monitor developments and will keep you informed. If you or someone you know has been affected by these actions, please contact your local steward or union representative as soon as possible.

Dear Union Members,

I want to share important information from a recent U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report titled “Telework: Private Sector Stakeholder and Expert Views” (GAO-25-107078), which is especially relevant in light of former President Trump’s proposed blanket return-to-office (RTO) mandate for federal employees.

Key Takeaways from the GAO Report:

• Telework Strengthens Recruitment and Retention:
  Private sector employers report that telework helps attract and retain talent, especially in a competitive labor market. Eliminating telework could severely hurt federal agencies’ ability to keep skilled workers.
• Expands Workforce Participation:
  Telework increases access to employment for people with disabilities, caregivers, older workers, and those in dual-income households. A rigid RTO policy risks reversing this progress on equity and inclusion.
• Workplace Culture Can Be Managed Remotely:
  While some concerns exist about remote work weakening office culture, stakeholders note that these challenges can be addressed through intentional leadership—not mandates.

Why This Matters Now:
President Trump is forcing all federal employees back to physical office spaces with a blanket RTO order. This approach disregards data-driven insights and lessons learned from both the private sector and the pandemic-era federal workforce. The GAO report clearly supports more nuanced, flexible policies that enhance worker well-being, retention, and performance.

Our Position:
We believe decisions about telework should be based on performance, mission needs, and evidence—not political posturing. Your union will continue to fight for policies that reflect the reality of modern work, protect your rights, and ensure federal agencies remain competitive employers.

📄 Read the full GAO report here: https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-25-107078.pdf

Thank you for your continued commitment and advocacy. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out.

In solidarity,
Gary Locken
Union Steward, AFGE Local 1061