Weekly Federal Labor Roundup — VA & AFGE News (June 28–July 2, 2026)

This week brought fresh threats to the job protections federal workers rely on — and a few reminders that organized workers are still winning fights. Here’s what mattered for Department of Veterans Affairs employees and the broader federal workforce.

VA & Veterans

• AFGE is fighting a bill that would betray veterans and their caregivers. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) says opposition is mounting against legislation it warns would harm military veterans and the family members who care for them. Read more
• The union honored a legend of VA organizing, Alma Lee. AFGE paid tribute to National VA Council President Emerita Alma Lee, who spent decades representing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees. Read more
• A federal notice covers hiring for VA health care jobs. The VA updated the application and appraisal process for Title 38 health care positions — the trainee pipeline that helps staff medical centers like ours in Hampton. Read more

Threats to Federal Workers’ Protections

• AFGE says proposed discipline rules betray public workers. The union is sounding the alarm over proposed changes to federal employee discipline rules that it warns would make it far easier to fire career workers. Read more
• OPM finalized a firing rule critics call “Nixonian.” Government Executive reports the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) finalized a rule centralizing firing power and making it easier to remove some federal employees. Read more
• The Supreme Court erased a decades-old protection for independent agencies. Talking Points Memo reports the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) overturned precedent that shielded agency leaders from being fired at will, with a carveout for the Federal Reserve. Read more
• Lawmakers and unions want a governmentwide gag-order plan withdrawn. Government Executive reports a coalition is urging the administration to drop a proposed governmentwide non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that whistleblower advocates warn would silence federal workers. Read more
• A new OPM authority blurs the line between vetting and discipline. Government Executive reports OPM’s new “suitability” authority could let the government push out employees under the cover of hiring checks. Read more

Union Wins & the Bigger Picture

• NIST lab workers voted to join AFGE. Workers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Engineering Laboratory voted to organize with AFGE. Read more
• A judge blocked an attempt to seize political control of union elections. Government Executive reports a federal judge halted a Trump administration effort to exert political control over federal-sector union elections. Read more
• The IRS agreed to stop removing workers’ pro-union decorations. Government Executive reports the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will stop taking down employees’ pro-union displays. Read more
• AFGE is pressing Congress to address the fallout from USAID cuts. The union called for congressional action to help workers and programs hurt by cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Read more
• A broad coalition is suing to stop a USDA reorganization. AFGE joined unions, nonprofits, cities, and counties seeking an injunction to block an impending U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reorganization. Read more

Have a question or a workplace concern? Reach out to your AFGE Local 2328 representatives — that’s what we’re here for.

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