Legislators Reintroduce Bill to Give VA Healthcare Workers Collective Bargaining Rights

• Two legislators hope to ensure that nurses and other Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare workers have collective bargaining rights. 
• Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Rep. Mark Takano introduced the VA Employee Fairness Act earlier this month. 
• Proponents argue these rights are vital in light of recent cuts to VA staff. 

Two members of congressional veterans’ affairs committees are working to ensure that nurses and other Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare workers have collective bargaining rights. 

Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Rep. Mark Takano both reintroduced the VA Employee Fairness Act, which would reinstate collective bargaining rights for VA healthcare workers. 

“This [White House] administration cannot continue to slash and burn the VA in the dark,” Duckworth stated in a news release. “As [Department of Government Efficiency] DOGE cuts continue, it’s as urgent as ever that Congress empowers VA healthcare professionals with the same bargaining rights and protections as other federal employees so they can speak out freely against any problems or challenges they’re enduring at this critical time for the VA.” 

The measure was introduced in the last legislative session but failed to pass. 

Importance of Collective Bargaining Rights for VA Nurses

Section 7422 of Title 38 USC “restricts the ability of these workers to speak freely about poor working conditions and resolve disputes with management,” according to the Duckworth press release, causing patient care to suffer. 

National Nurses United’s Irma Westmoreland said in a statement that giving VA nurses collective bargaining rights related to patient care would improve safety for nurses and patients. 

“VA nurses are fierce advocates for veterans, and restoring their full union rights empowers them as they fulfill this most sacred duty,” said Westmoreland, RN and NNU’s chair of veterans affairs. 

NNU represents nurses at more than 20 VA facilities nationwide. 

Why Champion Collective Bargaining Legislation Now?

VA employees gained collective bargaining rights in 1991, but Takano said in a statement that the current legislation is “more critical than ever” in light of cuts to VA staff. 

At least 1,000 VA employees have been terminated, with VA Secretary Doug Collins stating that the department is “focused on saving money so it can be better spent on veteran care.” 

“This was a tough decision, but ultimately it’s the right call to better support the veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors the department exists to serve,” Collins stated at the time of the terminations in February. “To be perfectly clear: these moves will not negatively impact VA health care, benefits or beneficiaries. In the coming weeks and months, VA will be announcing plans to put these resources to work helping Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors.” 

The Department of Veterans Affairs also was named in a March executive order that excludes several federal departments from “labor-management relations programs.” 

The Bottom Line

Legislation that would reinstate collective bargaining rights for nurses and other VA healthcare workers has been reintroduced once again in the House and Senate. The measure has the full support of National Nurses United, which represents thousands of nurses across 23 VA facilities. 

Read More