Weekly Federal Labor Roundup — VA & AFGE News (July 6–9, 2026)

A busy week for federal workers: disabled veterans are fighting to keep their jobs, unions are in court on several fronts, and there’s a real win to celebrate. Here’s what mattered for us this week.

VA & Veterans

• Disabled veterans say losing telework is pushing them out of VA jobs. Nextgov/GovExec reports that some disabled employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are struggling to keep working after their telework accommodations were pulled. Read more

Threats to Federal Workers’ Protections

• Unions sue to restore collective bargaining at the Defense Department. GovExec reports that federal unions are suing to reverse the stripping of bargaining rights at the Department of Defense (DOD), warning it has created “chaos.” Read more
• AFGE affiliates are leading that lawsuit against Defense Department union busting. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) says its affiliates are front and center in challenging the loss of contracts and bargaining rights. Read more
• OPM wants to shrink the federal worker survey and hide the results. GovExec reports the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has proposed a “decentralized” Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) with fewer questions and less public transparency. Read more
• Unions call the Agriculture Department reorganization a layoff in disguise. GovExec reports unions are suing to block a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) restructuring they say is really a reduction in force (RIF). Read more
• The administration wants to scrap a key protection against unfair discipline. GovExec reports a push to gut the framework that lets federal employees challenge firings before the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). Read more
• AFGE is urging Congress to stop dangerous federal prison closures. AFGE warns that shuttering facilities threatens the safety of corrections staff and the communities around them. Read more

Union Wins & the Bigger Picture

• A federal court blocked an FLRA power grab in an AFGE-led win. AFGE reports a court sided with unions to stop the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) from expanding its authority at workers’ expense. Read more
• The House passed a bill to speed up first-contract negotiations. LaborPress reports the Teamsters-backed Faster Labor Contracts Act cleared the U.S. House and now awaits action in the Senate. Read more
• Artificial intelligence is supercharging how bosses watch workers. Truthout reports employers are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor employees — a trend worth watching as agencies argue over telework and “productivity.” Read more

Have a question about anything here, or something happening in your shop? Reach out — that’s what we’re here for.

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