Weekly Federal Labor Roundup — VA & AFGE News (September 18–24, 2026)

Here is your weekly look at the federal labor news that touches our jobs at Hampton VA Medical Center and the work we do for veterans, brought to you by American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2328. A few things moved this week that are worth your time.

VA & Veterans

• A Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) contracting crackdown left some staff only hours to review hundreds of contracts. Government Executive reports that a department-wide review push handed employees extremely short deadlines to sign off on large batches of contracts, raising real questions about workload and whether anyone can do that job carefully. Read more
• VA picked a vendor to put an ambient artificial intelligence (AI) scribe in front of clinical staff. Nextgov reports the department selected Abridge under a new enterprise contract to draft clinical notes from patient visits, a change that will land directly on the people doing the charting. Read more
• VA laid out its timeline for a much larger enterprise AI services competition. Nextgov reports the department previewed when it will open bidding on a broad artificial intelligence services contract that could reshape how technology work gets done inside the agency. Read more
• Lawmakers are pushing for a floor vote on the Richard Star Act. LaborPress reports a bipartisan group is working to force a vote on the bill, which would let combat-injured veterans who were medically retired collect both their retirement pay and their disability compensation. Read more

Threats to Federal Workers’ Protections

• The Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) sent the fight over the president’s union executive orders back to the courts. Government Executive reports the authority declined to settle the dispute itself, which leaves the future of collective bargaining rights at many agencies in the hands of federal judges. Read more
• Lawmakers are asking congressional leadership to override the planned federal pay freeze. Government Executive reports a group of members wants the freeze blocked before it takes effect, which would mean no across-the-board raise for federal employees next year. Read more
• Senators warn the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) will lose more employees without advanced leave. Government Executive reports that taking away the advanced-leave option removes a safety net workers count on during medical and family emergencies, and agencies expect more people to walk. Read more
• The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is defending its decision to withhold part of an air traffic controller pay raise. Government Executive reports the agency held back a portion of a negotiated increase, a reminder that a bargained raise is not truly yours until it shows up in the paycheck. Read more
• The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is using conservative social media influencers on a college tour to recruit young federal workers. Government Executive reports the recruiting campaign is running through partisan personalities, which raises fair questions about the merit-based hiring rules that are supposed to govern the civil service. Read more

Union Wins & the Bigger Picture

• Public trust in government keeps sliding, but public opinion of civil servants is going up. Government Executive reports on a new survey finding that people increasingly separate federal employees from the politics swirling around them, and that the work we do still earns respect. Read more
• Video game workers at Microsoft-owned Blizzard won their first union contract. Labor Notes reports the agreement covers pay, layoff protections and job security at a company that has cut staff again and again. Read more
• Workers at National Braille Press voted to join the Communications Workers of America (CWA). LaborPress reports the new unit adds another nonprofit workplace to that union’s growing membership. Read more
• Fourteen hundred solar manufacturing workers joined the United Steelworkers (USW). Labor Notes reports it is one of the largest organizing wins yet in the clean energy manufacturing sector. Read more

Have a question about how any of this affects your job, your benefits, or your rights at work? Reach out to a steward or contact the local — that is what we are here for.

In solidarity,
AFGE Local 2328 — Representing the employees of Hampton VA Medical Center