Many of you received a VA memo recently regarding the implementation of a March 2025 Executive Order curtailing Labor Management Forums (LMFs) and Pre-Decisional Involvement (PDI) for unions. We understand this has raised concerns about your collective bargaining rights. In reality, the memo has no impact on your union rights under our Master Agreement or federal law.
Unfortunately, the memo was sent to bargaining unit employees with little to no context, leading to unnecessary confusion. Importantly, the ban on LMFs and PDI does not apply where the applicable Union collective bargaining agreement guarantees such rights, as noted in the second half of the memo. Our collective bargaining agreement with VA (the Master Agreement) includes these provisions. In addition, this Executive Order only applies to LMFs and PDI—not the multitude of other rights guaranteed by the Master Agreement or the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute.
It’s also worth noting that, despite President Biden’s prior directive to engage in LMFs and PDI, Secretary McDonough largely paid lip service to labor-management relations during his tenure. In practice, meaningful engagement with the Union was often lacking. This latest Executive Order simply makes official what was already happening under his leadership.
Therefore, despite the confusion caused by management’s distribution of this memo, your collective bargaining and representational rights remain fully in effect at this time.
That said, the real threat to your rights is President Trump’s Executive Order aimed at eliminating collective bargaining for most federal employees, including those at VA. That order is currently tied up in the courts—but Local 17 is closely monitoring the situation and preparing to respond if enforcement moves forward.
We appreciate the members who expeditiously brought this to our attention. As always, Local 17 is here to advocate for you.
