Weekly Federal Labor Roundup — VA & AFGE News (October 23–30, 2026)

Here is your weekly look at the news that touches us at Hampton VA Medical Center and federal workers across the country. This week brought a real court win on our personal data, a ruling against mass firings, and a final push before the November 3 election.

VA & Veterans

• The Department of Veterans Affairs finished its 2026 electronic health record rollouts. Nextgov reports the final two sites went live this month, closing out the year’s deployment schedule for the new system. Read more
• The Department of Veterans Affairs is taking public comment on the Medical Expense Report that veterans use to claim out-of-pocket health costs. The notice ran in the Federal Register and is under review at the Office of Management and Budget, which is the routine step that keeps the form in use. Read more
• The Department of Veterans Affairs’ small business office laid out how companies can win agency contracts. Washington Technology covered the director’s advice to vendors, which is a useful window into how our agency spends its money. Read more

Threats to Federal Workers’ Protections

• A federal judge ruled that firing career employees on a broad claim of presidential power is illegal. Government Executive reports the court found these ‘Article II’ firings violate both the separation of powers and civil service law. Read more
• The Federal Bureau of Prisons is trying again to tear up its union contracts. Government Executive reports the agency has made a fresh attempt after an earlier one stalled, which would strip collective bargaining rights from thousands of correctional staff. Read more
• The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service finalized a rule that lets it turn down requests for an arbitrator. Government Executive reports the agency that supplies neutral arbitrators now has room to refuse cases, which matters any time a grievance has to go to arbitration. Read more
• Cuts to the federal workforce are showing up as worse service for the public. Government Executive reports satisfaction scores fell across government services following staffing reductions, which is the case we have been making all along. Read more
• The Small Business Administration wants to move field offices out of major cities, and our union is fighting it. The American Federation of Government Employees says the relocations would uproot employees and pull services away from the people who need them. Read more

Union Wins & the Bigger Picture

• A federal judge ruled the Office of Personnel Management broke the law when it handed our personal data to the Department of Government Efficiency. The American Federation of Government Employees brought the case, and the court agreed that giving away federal employees’ private records was illegal. Read more
• Our union endorsed Virginia candidates ahead of the November 3 election. The American Federation of Government Employees backed Tom Perriello and Beth Macy for the U.S. House based on where they stand on federal jobs and bargaining rights. Read more
• Members around the country picked up the phone for a National Day of Action. The American Federation of Government Employees reports members called Congress to defend federal jobs, pay and union contracts. Read more
• Several former federal employees are on the ballot and could be in Congress next year. Government Executive profiles candidates who came out of the civil service, including some who were fired in this year’s cuts. Read more
• Registration is open for our union’s Legislative Conference, February 6-9. The American Federation of Government Employees’ annual conference brings members to Washington to lobby their own representatives face to face. Read more

Have a question about how any of this affects you or your job? Reach out to us. That is what we are here for.

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