# VA Ends Exclusive Union Recognition

The Department of Veterans Affairs notified its National VA Council on October 10, 2026, that it considers the 2023 collective bargaining agreement expired and will no longer recognize the union as the exclusive representative for most VA employees. AFGE says the First Circuit’s October 2 stay concerned the district court’s authority to modify an injunction during the appeal and did not decide the underlying agreement dispute or authorize VA to terminate the agreement. For contractors supporting VA facilities, the dispute could affect workforce coordination and facility operations while litigation continues.

- The agreement covers more than 300,000 VA employees; AFGE says it contains an automatic-extension provision while a replacement agreement is negotiated.
- Contractors supporting VA facilities should assess whether changes in workforce representation could affect their operational coordination with VA personnel.
- The First Circuit stay did not resolve the underlying dispute, so the status of the agreement remains contested.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Healthcare
**Published:** October 13, 2026

### Government Entities
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (First Circuit)
- U.S. District Court

### Sources
- [Va officially loses its union I got the email to prove it](https://www.reddit.com/r/FedEmployees/comments/1x54xbl/va_officially_loses_its_union_i_got_the_email_to) - reddit-fedemployees