Wichita Standard

Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal and House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mark Takano, along with a group of lawmakers, have urged Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins to exempt VA employees from a recent executive order by President Trump. This order eliminates collective bargaining and labor rights for public servants at the VA and other agencies.

In a letter, the lawmakers argued, “This [executive order] allows you to request an exemption for any groups within the Department that should be allowed to retain their union representation – it is imperative that you do so before more harm is done to veterans and the employees who deliver their high-quality care and benefits at VA.” They emphasize the importance of these rights, explaining, "The right to join a labor union and the right to collectively bargain are bedrock American principles, principles our veterans fought for, and we stand with the hardworking civil servants who are the backbone of the VA."

The deadline for the VA to submit an exemption is April 11. Federal employee unions have also filed lawsuits against the Trump Administration in response to the order. Lawmakers highlighted the significance, stating, "Seventy-nine percent of VA employees, many of whom are veterans themselves, are represented by organized labor unions, and every one of them is key to VA’s ability to deliver on its sacred mission."

The lawmakers pointed out past labor protections that played crucial roles, such as during the Congress investigation of the 2014 Phoenix wait times scandal. They warned that the removal of these protections could increase taxpayer costs and empower "bad actors." "The Senators concluded, 'Mr. Secretary, given all the reasons why such an order will be detrimental to VA’s ability to deliver for our nation’s veterans, we can only conclude that this directive is primarily retaliatory in nature,'" they wrote.

The letter, signed by 21 Senators and 106 Representatives, includes prominent figures such as House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Ranking Member Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Senators Angela Alsobrooks, Cory Booker, and Bernie Sanders, among others.

In their appeal, the legislators insist that with all the adverse impacts anticipated from the order, Secretary Collins must act decisively and request a waiver for VA employees, thereby protecting their labor rights and ensuring the department can continue its mission effectively.

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