Brown Condemns Trump VA’s Union-Busting Move

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) today released the following statement after the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the termination of collective bargaining agreements for most VA employees: 

“This blatant act of union-busting is a shameful assault on the workers who serve our veterans and keep the VA running every day. The nurses, caregivers, and frontline staff at Stokes and facilities across America don’t ask for praise, they ask for a voice. And today, the Trump Administration told them to sit down and shut up.

“Let’s be clear: this decision isn’t about helping Veterans. It’s about breaking unions, consolidating power, and punishing public servants for daring to speak up. Tearing up union contracts will only erode morale, destabilize the workforce, and make it harder to hire and retain skilled employees. And make no mistake, this retaliation and open contempt for the rights of federal workers sends a dangerous signal to the private sector too.

“Instead of improving the VA, Trump would rather scapegoat the hardworking men and women who keep it running. That’s not leadership—that is cowardice. I stand with VA workers, and I’ll fight this disgraceful power grab every step of the way. When Congress returns, we must pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act and send a clear message: the days of bullying public servants are over.”

Background

On March 27, 2025, the Trump Administration issued the Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs Executive Order (EO), stripping collective bargaining rights from employees at the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, State, Justice, and Energy, and from certain workers at Homeland Security, Treasury, HHS, Interior, and Agriculture. The order impacts approximately 67% of the federal workforce, including hundreds of thousands of veterans. 

Rep. Brown is a cosponsor of the Protect America’s Workforce Act (H.R. 2550), legislation to overturn the EO and restore these vital collective bargaining protections. 

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