AFGE Local 1061 extends its sincere thanks to AFGE and the NVAC Legal Team for their outstanding representation and continued defense of VA employees’ rights. We especially want to recognize the successful representation of a Registered Nurse in a Title 38 Disciplinary Appeals Board (DAB) case, where a suspension was overturned and full relief granted under the Back Pay Act…

AFGE Local 1061 UpdateJanuary 23, 2026 “These policies—including a hiring freeze, illegal mass firings of VA employees, encouraged departures of more than 30,000 staff, and cancellation of thousands of contracts providing critical services and support to veterans—have reversed progress made over multiple Administrations and years of bipartisan work. At the same time, VA’s communication under Secretary Collins—the least transparent Secretary in recent memory—has become delayed, distorted, and disingenuous.

Dear Local 1061 Sisters, Brothers, and Union Family, I’m sharing an important video update that I believe is essential for all of us to watch: ▶️ This message underscores what’s at stake for federal employees across the country and highlights the strength we have when we stand united. As AFGE members, we know firsthand that our power comes from our solidarity, our advocacy, and our commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of every federal worker.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, I hope you are all doing well. I want to take a moment to share important information about ongoing federal union litigation that directly affects us as VA healthcare workers. Across the country, AFGE, NVAC, and our sister councils are fighting back against attempts to strip away collective bargaining rights, terminate union contracts, and weaken the voice of frontline employees.

📘 1. NVAC v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Court: U.S. District Court (District of Rhode Island)Filed: Nov 4, 2025Union: AFGE NVACIssue: VA’s termination of the Master Collective Bargaining Agreement (MCBA) for ~300,000 VA employeesClaims: VA violated statutory rights under the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute Violates First & Fifth Amendments Retaliatory and arbitrary agency action…

Originally by Everett Kelley, AFGE National PresidentShared by AFGE Local 1061 at Greater Los AngelesOctober 27, 2025 | The Insider As this unnecessary and harmful government shutdown stretches into its fourth week, AFGE Local 1061 at Greater Los Angeles stands firmly with the message from our AFGE National President, Everett Kelley: It’s past time to end this shutdown — reopen the government, pay every worker, and get America moving again.

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.

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 NG-8-29-25-VA-CBA-Termination-2.0-Refusal-to-Recognize-Union-RepresentativivesDownload 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dear Union Members, I want to bring to your attention a significant legal development that directly impacts our rights and job security as federal employees. 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. 

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.

Dear Sisters and Brothers, On May 9, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order titled “Keeping Promises to Veterans and Establishing a National Center for Warrior Independence.” This directive directly impacts our members working at the West Los Angeles VA Campus and may have broad implications for staffing, operations, and resources. The executive order designates the West LA VA as a National Center for Warrior Independence, aimed at addressing veteran homelessness by expanding services in housing, healthcare, addiction treatment, and job support.

I want to bring your attention to a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued by a federal judge on May 6, 2025, which directly impacts not only the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) but also a broad range of federal agencies. This TRO is in response to the sweeping implementation of Executive Order 14210 and the associated February 26, 2025 OMB/OPM Memorandum…

I’m writing to share an article that reflects a deeply troubling shift I’ve observed within the Department of Veterans Affairs—one that I believe deserves urgent attention: 🔗 VA Doctors Resist Trump In my 27 years of federal service, including 23 with the VA, I have never witnessed a moment as dark as this. The potential politicization of VA healthcare and the marginalization of medical professionals' voices pose serious risks to the integrity of our mission and the care we provide to veterans.

On May 2, 2025, AFGE’s National VA Council (NVAC) filed its third national grievance against the VA’s Deferred Resignation Program (DRP), this time targeting “DRP 2.0,” a new version of the program launched after the “Fork in the Road” initiative. DRP 2.0 allows VA employees to opt into paid administrative leave until September 30, after which they must either resign or retire.

Deeply grateful to @RepMikeTurner for standing up for federal workers with principled, thoughtful leadership. Your voice brings hope to countless public servants who show up every day to serve our nation. Thank you for your courage and integrity. 🇺🇸 #FederalWorkers #PublicService #Leadership

Just a quick heads-up — the OCHCO VA DRP Bulletin has been updated, and the changes take effect April 24, 2025. Please see the updated memo below for all the details: Eligibility: Any VA employee (except re-employed annuitants and part-timers) can now submit a DRP request through the Portal. Employees in occupations listed in Attachment A are also eligible.

Dear Union Colleagues, I’m writing this post to raise serious concerns about a new and troubling policy direction from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). On April 23, VA Secretary Doug Collins announced an agency-wide investigation into perceived anti-Christian bias. Employees are being asked to report incidents such as denial of religious exemptions, disciplinary actions for displaying Christian symbols, or even being expected to participate in procedures that may conflict with their beliefs.

Good Morning Fellow VA Workers and AFGE Leaders, I stand in full solidarity with our union siblings in during this incredibly difficult time. The news that AFGE is moving forward with layoffs that could eliminate between 60% and 75% of the Local 2-represented staff is deeply troubling. While I understand that AFGE may be facing serious financial challenges, I share the concern that these cuts are falling disproportionately on bargaining unit staff — the very people who make our union run every day.

The Defendants' Motion to Dismiss in United States Department of Defense v. AFGE argues that the federal government's lawsuit—seeking a declaratory judgment to pre-approve termination of collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) based on a new Executive Order—should be dismissed for three key reasons: 1. Lack of Article III Standing The government filed the lawsuit before the Executive Order was made public.