Iowa City protest targets VA union cuts by Trump administration

August 28, 2025 Last updated : August 28, 2025 Editorial Staff

Community Rises Against VA Employee Contract Terminations in Iowa City

Voices of discontent filled the air on Wednesday afternoon in Iowa City as numerous residents gathered outside the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The demonstrators protested the Trump administration’s recent decision to end union contracts for Veterans Affairs Health Care employees.

A statement released by the Iowa City Federation of Labor highlighted ongoing challenges faced by federal employees, citing “months of Trump administration attacks at the VA and other federal agencies, including illegal mass firings, arbitrary hiring freezes, and reckless termination of thousands of probationary employees in already understaffed facilities.”

Earlier this month, U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Douglas Collins announced the termination of contracts with the American Federation of Government Employees and several other unions representing VA staff. The administration stated that this move aims to allow VA employees to dedicate more time to veteran care by reducing their union-related duties.

“Too often, unions that represent VA employees fight against the best interests of Veterans while protecting and rewarding bad workers,” Collins remarked. “We’re making sure VA resources and employees are singularly focused on the job we were sent here to do: providing top-notch care and service to those who wore the uniform.”


A car drives past people picketing against Trump administration’s attacks on VA Health Care and employees outside the VA Medical Center in Iowa City on Wednesday. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)
A car drives past people picketing against Trump administration’s attacks on VA Health Care and employees outside the VA Medical Center in Iowa City on Wednesday. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Responding to the administration’s stance, union leaders argue that unions are essential for empowering employees to provide better care for veterans. Patrick Kearns, a VA registered nurse and president of the Iowa City American Federation of Government Employees chapter, stated, “Our patients get the best care when we can deliver that care safely and advocate for our patients. The union is there to speak truth to power. Health care is too important to be treated as political spoils for private interests. It seems that Secretary Collins’ goal is to make VA fail and convert taxpayer dollars to private profit.”

Kearns addressed the protest attendees, expressing gratitude for their support and highlighting the difficult year VA employees have endured due to federal hiring freezes and policy changes that have led to workforce reductions. “We’ve lost a lot of people to retirements and just leaving federal service because they don’t feel valued, and they feel harassed,” he explained. “I think that the Trump administration’s been successful in that people are anxious and scared and don’t believe that their contributions are valued anymore.”


A community member holds out a sign as cars drive by during a picket against Trump administration attacks on VA care and employees outside the VA Medical Center in Iowa City on Wednesday. The picket was organized by members of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 2547. VA Health Care workers, veterans, labor unions and community supporters gathered together with AFGE Local 2547 members to hold signs in protest along US-6. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)
A community member holds out a sign as cars drive by during a picket against Trump administration attacks on VA care and employees outside the VA Medical Center in Iowa City on Wednesday. The picket was organized by members of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 2547. VA Health Care workers, veterans, labor unions and community supporters gathered together with AFGE Local 2547 members to hold signs in protest along US-6. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Ruark Hotopp, National Vice President for District 8 of the American Federation of Government Employees, mentioned that similar protests have been occurring across the Midwest. Hotopp, who traveled from Nebraska to support the Iowa City demonstration, also attended a protest in Minneapolis on Monday. “Folks are paying attention to what’s happening in their government, and they don’t like it,” he commented.


Jenny Tyner of Iowa City holds a sign up during a picket against Trump administration attacks on VA care and employees outside the VA Medical Center in Iowa City, Iowa on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025. Tyner who is now retired worked in a union for 25 years. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)
Jenny Tyner of Iowa City holds a sign up during a picket against Trump administration attacks on VA care and employees outside the VA Medical Center in Iowa City, Iowa on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025. Tyner who is now retired worked in a union for 25 years. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Former VA employee Jenny Tyner attended the protest to show support for her colleagues still working at the hospital. “Iowa City VA, I’ve always considered the gem of the Midwest,” Tyner shared. “It’s a hospital that supports each other, and helps each other grow.”

Having served in various roles at the medical center before retiring three years ago, Tyner expressed shock at the administration’s recent policies. “Cutting out veterans’ benefits and hurting those that care for them, it’s ungodly,” she stated.

The rally also saw participation from veterans like Army veteran Joe Stutler, who emphasized the personal impact of supporting VA workers. “This is personal to me because this is my hospital,” Stutler remarked. “These people take care of me … I’m here to take care of them because they take care of me.”

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