A federal judge has ordered the Department of Veterans Affairs to temporarily restore its collective bargaining agreement with the American Federation of Government Employees’ National VA Council, which represents more than 300,000 VA employees. The preliminary injunction reinstates the union’s master contract and related agreements that the VA terminated in August 2025 following an executive order expanding national security exemptions to federal collective bargaining. The judge found the union is likely to succeed in its claim that the termination was retaliatory and potentially violated the First Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act. The ruling restores union protections while the case continues, though the VA is expected to appeal. VA ordered to restore AFGE contract under federal judge’s temporary order | Federal News Network