Recap: AFGE Local 17 Town Hall on the Executive Order and Your Rights

Local 17 Town Hall

On the evening of August 13, 2025, AFGE Local 17 leaders and members gathered for an urgent virtual town hall to address the sweeping changes impacting thousands of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees. Following the implementation of a controversial executive order, union leadership provided a clear-eyed assessment of the new landscape, detailing the ongoing legal battles, the immediate impact on employees, and the path forward for the union and its members. The core message was one of resilience and resolve: the fight is far from over.

Major Announcements

• New SF-50s Issued: Some employees formerly in the bargaining unit may have been issued new SF-50 forms changing their Bargaining Unit Status (BUS) code to 8888, officially removing them from the unit.
• Local Litigation Fund & Strategy: AFGE Local 17 has set aside a $100,000 litigation fund and is actively exploring a local lawsuit against the VA. To support this, the union issued a call for members to report cases of “irreparable harm” resulting from the loss of the contract.
• Upcoming Member Luncheon: A luncheon for all members will be held on Wednesday, August 27, in the C-7 conference room at 810 Vermont Ave. The event will feature a free lunch and a representative from Benefit Architects to discuss retirement and financial planning.
• Continued Representation: The union will continue to advise members on filings with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) and will screen viable cases for potential representation.

Key Topics & Insights

The Executive Order and the “Ridiculous” Justification

President Douglas Massey opened the meeting by explaining the origin of the crisis: a presidential executive order that suspended collective bargaining for nearly three-fourths of the federal workforce. The order utilizes a provision in the 1978 Civil Service Reform Act allowing a president to suspend bargaining for employees whose primary function is “national security work.”

Massey called the application of this to VA employees “ridiculous,” pointing out the absurdity of classifying nurses, canteen baristas, and claims examiners as national security personnel. He highlighted the political nature of the order, noting it targeted unions like AFGE that have been effective in litigation against the administration, while exempting other unions that are politically supportive. “He’s going after us because we’ve been effective,” Massey stated.

The Ongoing Legal Battle

AFGE, along with other federal unions, immediately filed a lawsuit challenging the order. The union secured an initial victory when the Northern District of California granted a preliminary injunction, temporarily halting the order’s implementation. However, the government appealed to the Ninth Circuit, which stayed the injunction, allowing the VA to proceed with removing employees from the bargaining unit while the case is litigated on its merits.

Massey expressed confidence in the union’s legal position. “Congress passes the laws, the president’s supposed to enforce them,” he explained. “The president can’t just nullify any law with an executive order.” The case is now back with the district court, where AFGE has filed for summary judgment.

Impact on Working Conditions & Employee Rights

With the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) suspended, leaders warned that management now has the authority to unilaterally change working conditions. For employees at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA), this could mean an increase in production quotas. For others, it could involve changes to telework agreements, schedules, and other office policies.

The chat log reflected immediate concerns, with one judge noting that Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) could be shortened from the contractually-mandated 90 days to just 30 days under the VA Handbook. Another mentioned that discretionary proration requests were now being decided on a case-by-case basis.

Union leaders emphasized that while the CBA is suspended, statutory rights remain. The union will continue to assist members with Reasonable Accommodations (RAs) under the Rehabilitation Act and will screen cases of removal or suspension (over 14 days) for appeal to the MSPB. However, they cautioned that the MSPB is often a less favorable venue than arbitration.

Top Audience Questions

The town hall featured a lively chat, with members raising critical questions about their new reality.

• Q: What is the status of the back pay and promotions from last year’s arbitration victory?
• A: JR Cummings confirmed the process is stalled with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). While board leadership has indicated a desire to finalize the payments, the union’s power to enforce the agreement is currently diminished. Cummings assured members that if the agency reneges, “we will be able to enforce it” once bargaining rights are restored.
• Q: Can the union still represent us in EEO or MSPB filings?
• A: Yes. Members should use their personal email addresses to contact union representatives (first.last@afgelocal17.org) to schedule consultations.
• Q: Is it legal for my new SF-50 to have a signature from an HR official who left the VA months ago?
• A: While JR Cummings acknowledged it was a good question, he doubted it would have a significant legal impact, as the agency could simply issue new forms with a current signature.
• Q: When will the national court case reach the Supreme Court?
• A: Not until next year at the earliest. The case must first work its way through the District Court and the Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Q: Will our old SF-50s prove we were in the bargaining unit?
• A: Yes. Leaders strongly urged all members to download and save their entire electronic Official Personnel File (eOPF) to preserve these crucial records.

Decisions & Next Steps

• Action Item (All Members): Report any instances of “irreparable harm” to the union. This includes canceled RAs, being forced off contractual paid parental leave, or other negative actions that cannot be compensated with money. This is critical for the union’s potential lawsuit.
• Action Item (All Members): Call your congressional representatives at (202) 224-3121 and urge them to support HR 2550.
• Action Item (All Members): Continue paying e-Dues. These funds are the primary resource for the union’s legal and lobbying efforts. As one member noted in the chat, “probably good idea to remind everyone to keep paying their E-Dues which are necessary to fight this.”
• Next Step (Union Leadership): AFGE Local 17 leadership will meet with the national union to coordinate legal strategy and discuss filing a separate lawsuit on behalf of the local’s members.
• Next Step (Union Leadership): The union will continue communications to keep members informed of all developments.

Notable Quotes

• Douglas Massey on the union’s resilience: “I grew up kind of near a fishing village in New England, and there was an expression that when fishermen can’t go out to sea, they repair their nets. So, this is where we are right now. We’re gonna continue to fight.”
• JR Cummings on member empowerment: “You still have your voice, you still have your power. So please don’t forget that… just because we may not be as powerful as we used to be… you still have the same voice that you used to have. And utilize it the best that you can, because that’s what we have right now, and we have the power of persuasion.”
• Margaret Riley in the chat, capturing the mood: “I am able to operate in a constant state of both fear AND anger.”

Resources & Links

• Union Contact: douglas.massey@afgelocal17.org
• Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121 (to contact your representative about HR 2550)

Conclusion

The town hall concluded on a note of determined solidarity. Leaders acknowledged the fear and anger members are feeling but channeled it into a call for collective action. While the suspension of the CBA represents a significant blow, the union itself remains. By staying united, funding the fight, documenting harm, and raising their collective voice, the members of AFGE Local 17 are preparing to weather the storm and repair their nets for the battles ahead.