Bill Restores Collective Bargaining Rights for VA Nurses and Clinicians

Bill Supports Full Collective Bargaining Rights for VA Clinicians

The National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU) has expressed strong support for the reintroduction of the VA Employee Fairness Act by Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA). This federal legislation aims to secure comprehensive collective bargaining rights for nurses and other clinicians within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The bill is seen as essential by nurses who believe union representation enhances the quality of care provided to veterans. On May 7, 2025, NNOC/NNU nurses will convene in Washington, D.C., to advocate for the bill's passage.

This legislative move responds to significant challenges to collective bargaining rights within the federal sector. Nurses are opposing President Trump's executive order that threatens to revoke union protections for 15,000 VA nurses under NNOC/NNU. Bipartisan support in Congress has emerged, urging the president and VA Secretary Doug Collins to restore these rights, articulated in letters dated April 2 and April 17. The NNOC/NNU has joined forces with other federal-sector unions to legally contest this perceived executive overreach.

Irma Westmoreland, RN, and chair of Veterans Affairs for NNU, stated, “The VA Employee Fairness Act would repeal provisions in Section 7422 that limit collective bargaining rights and brings the rights of VA nurses in line with nurses in Department of Defense health care facilities, other unionized federal employees, and nurses in the private sector. By granting VA nurses the ability to bargain collectively on issues related to patient care, the VA Employee Fairness Act would make the VA a safer place both for nurses and our veterans.”

Rep. Takano highlighted the importance of the bill, saying, "VA health care employees work tirelessly to provide high-quality care to our nation's veterans and their families. The VA Employee Fairness Act would grant these indispensable workers the collective bargaining rights they deserve and have been fighting for, while improving VA employee retention. Passing this bill is the right thing to do."

Sen. Duckworth added, “This Administration cannot continue to slash and burn the VA in the dark. As DOGE cuts continue, it’s as urgent as ever that Congress empowers VA health care professionals with the same bargaining rights and protections as other federal employees so they can speak out freely against any problems or challenges they’re enduring at this critical time for the VA.”

The House of Representatives previously passed the VA Employee Fairness Act with bipartisan support during the 117th Session. Currently, it has garnered backing from eight original Senate cosponsors and 75 in the House. Section 7422 of Title 38 of the U.S. Code imposes broad restrictions on collective bargaining rights for registered nurses and other clinical professionals over issues related to professional conduct, competence, and compensation. The new bill seeks to empower nurses to negotiate on these critical matters, advocating for patient safety and improved working conditions.

Westmoreland emphasized, “Nurses will never abandon their patients, and they will continue to fight for the best care for our nation’s veterans. That’s why we will continue to demand the restoration of our hard-fought union rights and for the expansion of our collective bargaining rights under the VA Employee Fairness Act.”

The VA Employee Fairness Act is supported by several prominent labor organizations, including the AFL-CIO, AFGE, NFFE, IFPTE, SEIU, AFSCME, and NAGE-SEIU.

With representation of 15,000 registered nurses across 23 VA facilities, many of whom are veterans, NNOC/NNU continues to advocate for enhanced rights and protections in the workplace.