AFGE Takes Legal Action Against OPM’s Unlawful Workplace Mandate
AFGE is taking a stand. In response to the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) unprecedented directive requiring federal employees to justify their weekly work under threat of termination, AFGE has filed a landmark legal challenge to protect the rights and job security of government workers.
This lawsuit, filed in federal court, targets OPM’s illegal overreach – an unvetted policy imposed without the legally required notice-and-comment process. AFGE is leading the charge, joined by other federal employee unions, including AFSCME and UNAC/UHCP. The case seeks to block OPM’s demand that employees submit a five-point work summary each week or be considered to have resigned.
AFGE Local 17 President Doug Massey is calling this what it is: an unlawful intimidation tactic meant to create a hostile work environment. “Federal employees answer to their agencies—not OPM. This directive is designed to disrupt, not to improve, government efficiency,” Massey said. “We will not stand by while employees are threatened, demoralized, and falsely accused of failing to justify their worth.”
The lawsuit challenges OPM’s actions under the Administrative Procedure Act, arguing that the agency has no legal authority to demand such reporting from employees across federal agencies. In addition, the VA itself has not provided clear guidance, leaving thousands of employees in limbo. Even major agencies like the Pentagon, FBI, and State Department have told employees not to respond to OPM’s directive – further highlighting the confusion and lack of legitimacy behind this mandate.
Federal employees answer to their agencies—not OPM. This directive is designed to disrupt, not to improve, government efficiency.
Doug Massey, AFGE Local 17 President
AFGE understands the anxiety this has caused among VA employees, particularly those in probationary periods who fear unjust termination. Local 17 is fighting back. The Union is committed to ensuring that every VA employee has the support, protection, and due process they deserve.
In an email to VA Secretary Doug Collins, Massey urged him to stand by the 400,000-strong workforce and provide clarity during this chaotic time, as federal employees navigate an increasingly uncertain environment.
What You Should Do Now
- Join our Town Hall – Tuesday, February 25, at 7:00 p.m., for the first group, and 7:45 for those who are unable to enter the zoom room due to crowd size: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87261054034?pwd=bSsvDFUZV1kPQHSePEPXV0c1d3yj42.1
- Attend Local 17’s March event – A Saturday night gathering in DC (details to come).
- Stay informed – Follow updates from AFGE for critical guidance.
- Stand together – This is a fight for due process, workplace dignity, and the right to do your job without fear.
AFGE will not let OPM’s overreach go unchallenged. The VA workforce is strong, committed, and essential. We will keep fighting—for you, for fairness, and for the mission we serve.
AFGE Local 17 recently learned that, less than 24 hours before the deadline, Musk hinted that the emails were nothing more than a ruse to see if federal employees were “capable of responding” to his nonsense. In the early hours of Monday morning, Musk responded on X to a post from venture capitalist Garry Tan, who pointed out that DOGE couldn’t possibly read all the responses. Musk called the initiative “stupid” and “performance art.”
Let that sink in. A billionaire playing games with the job security and financial stability of thousands of federal employees—people who dedicate their careers to serving Veterans. This isn’t leadership; it’s a sick display of power, a pathetic example of punching down. If Musk thinks this kind of intimidation is going to scare federal workers into submission, he clearly doesn’t understand who he’s dealing with. We stand together, we fight back, and we’re not going anywhere.
