A Victory for Veterans and Employees: Union Contracts Restored at the VA

On March 13, 2026, VA employees across the country received welcome news: collective bargaining agreements that had been terminated months earlier were being restored following ongoing litigation and a federal court ruling.

For members of AFGE Local 2280 at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center, the announcement marked an important step toward restoring workplace rights and protections that had been stripped away during a period of significant uncertainty.

Since the termination of union contracts in August 2025, employees had faced questions about their rights, workplace protections, and the future of labor-management relations within the Department of Veterans Affairs. While AFGE and other unions challenged those actions in court, Local 2280 members continued serving veterans every day despite the uncertainty surrounding their own working conditions.

The restoration of the contracts represented more than just a legal victory. It reaffirmed the principle that the employees who care for our nation's veterans deserve a voice in their workplace.

During an interview with TV6, AFGE Local 2280 Vice President Wyatt Gibler emphasized that collective bargaining has never been about politics—it has always been about fairness and ensuring employees have the ability to advocate for themselves and the veterans they serve.

"Our members should be able to collectively bargain. It has nothing to do with national security work. I don't know anyone that's inside the kitchen or that's a housekeeper within our VA that's involved with decision making or counter-intelligence, or anything of the sort. They have the right to collectively bargain. It's just about humanity at this point."

The restoration of collective bargaining rights allows employees to once again participate in established processes that help address workplace concerns, improve communication, and ensure that frontline workers have a voice in decisions affecting their jobs and the care they provide.

Throughout the legal battle, Local 2280 remained focused on what mattered most: supporting veterans and supporting the workforce that serves them.

As Gibler noted, "Even with the revoking of our master bargaining agreement, reinstating the master bargaining agreement, all of that really doesn't matter. In the end, what matters is our employees and our veterans. If our employees are not getting their proper protections, safe working conditions, protecting themselves from burning out, we can't give proper care to our veterans, and that, at the end of the day, is our mission and our goal."

That message remains at the heart of AFGE Local 2280's mission. Strong employee protections, safe working conditions, and a respected workforce are not separate from quality veteran care—they are essential to it.

The restoration of these agreements is an important milestone, but our work is far from over. Local 2280 will continue advocating for the employees of the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center, protecting workplace rights, and ensuring that veterans throughout the Upper Peninsula receive the high-quality care and services they have earned through their service.

Together, we remain committed to one mission: supporting those who serve veterans so that veterans receive the care they deserve.