AFGE

National VA Council

Fighting for jobs and the future of federal employees

Master Agreement,
Policy &
Constitution

To help create a quality work environment for VA federal employees, the AFGE National VA Council works in a mutually respectful partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Through contract negotiations the Master Agreement (MA) sets an agreed standard for management and local unions to follow.

The NVAC Negotiations Team works hard to upholding the rights of bargaining unit employees. Follow this link to learn more about the 2023 MA Ratification and process.

Global Settlement

Reminder

As you know, during the previous administration, we witnessed unprecedented attacks on workers’ rights, collective bargaining, and federal sector labor unions.. With the support of our members and AFGE VA Locals, NVAC has been fighting hard to protect the rights of VA employees and the dedicated union officials who represent them.

NVAC is proud to announce the execution of a global Settlement Agreement resolving several disputes that arose during the previous administration, including: VA/NVAC contract negotiations, Trump EO 13837 claims, and Title 38 official time. Highlights include:

VA/NVAC Contract Negotiations: The Parties have agreed to erase all bargaining history since December 2017 and start over with a “limited reopener” of the 2011 Master Agreement. We have executed new Ground Rules, and each side has selected 6 articles to reopen and renegotiate. With limited exceptions, the Parties have agreed to roll over 55 articles from the 2011 Master Agreement. We expect to return to the bargaining table by early next year.

Trump Executive Orders: The Parties have established a claims submission procedure where AFGE representatives may submit claims for two types of corrective action: (1) compensation for representational duties performed in a leave status or non-duty status due to limitations on official time, and (2) reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses for costs incurred for office space, storage space, equipment, and technology because of EO 13837. Lastly, the VA will rescind personnel actions taken against AFGE representatives under EO 13837.
Title 38 Official Time: The VA has agreed to rescind the 7422 determinations from 2018-19 concerning the use of Title 38 official time. This means that AFGE representatives in Title 38 positions will, once again, have the same rights to official time as other employees. These representatives may also submit claims for compensation under the claims submission procedure.

For specific questions relating to the settlement please email NVAC attorneys at VAclaims@afge.org

AFGE National VA Council

What we FIGHT for

Legal

National Grievances

AFGE National VA Council dutifully represents its members when grievances happen with workplace conditions or when there's a violation of law, regulation, department directives in handbooks, or past practice, as well as a violation of any agreement. The litigation procedure will result in a settlement or withdrawal, an arbitration decision, and an FLRA decision (including ULP orders). To find the original legal grounds for filing disputes, click this link for the National Grievances page. Then, for the final decision process, you can follow the links below.

Settlements Withdrawals

Our council strive to facilitate agreements that best represents fairness for our BUEs. Grievances may lead to a settlement or withdrawal. The link to this page houses the cases AFGE NVAC has completed. Click now and learn more.

Arbitration Decisions

When resolving national grievances, AFGE NVAC attorneys present each case in a fair and balanced manner. These disputes are resolved through a third-party's decision. Click this link and be informed about ADs that affect your Local.

Flra Decisions

Acting as an independent agency, the Federal Labor Relations Authority oversees disputes between the federal government and employees. For a list of FLRA decisions that affect our council, follow this link.

ULP Decisions

The Federal Labor Relations Authority may issue a complaint when a union files a charge. When employers violate the Federal Service Labor Relations statue, unions have the right to file Unfair Labor Practices. Click here for more.

AFGE National VA Council

Standing for what matters

Many of the benefits jobs have don't exists without the work of union representation. Connect with us and make a real difference because we are stronger together. You deserve fair treatment.

Why should I join?

In today's work environment, our hard work is often exploited. At AFGE NVAC, we negotiate for security, safer working conditions, management competence, and fight for the dignity of all. Check out Robert Reich's video about Why Unions Matter on our Communication & Media page.

Events

You work hard and care about the people you serve. Let your voice be heard. Join our next event to show solidarity. As an AFGE member you can log into Events using your password.

AFGE National VA Council

What we FIGHT for

Mid-Term Bargaining

Demand to BargAin

AFGE National VA Council strives to protect working conditions of Bargaining Unit Employees (BUEs). Click on the icon to be taken to our Demand To Bargain page.

VISN DTB

These DTBs are about safeguarding and expanding rights of employees in local Veterans Integrated Service Networks. For VISN DTBs, click here.

VHA DTB

AFGE NVAC partners with the Veterans Health Admin. to ensure hospital heroes are represented fairly.
Click on the icon for the VHA DTB page.

VBA DTB

Veterans Benefits Admin. employees are entitled to fair working conditions. Stay abreast of the latest negotiations by clicking the icon.

Surveys

Input from employees can call attention to effective and ineffective programs and workplace conditions. Find surveys archived under the above icon link.

MOU

A Memorandum Of Understanding commits both parties to defining the strategic scope for bargaining. Follow this link for our MOU page.

AFGE National VA Council

What we FIGHT for

From our Training & Education Department

Previous Training

Upcoming training

AFGE National VA Council

Find your local office

Your local office is the first defense when facing unfair labor practices. They’re here to listen, educate, and support BUE’s in a commitment to guidelines of the master agreement.

Our local offices are here to help. Use the Contact Us link for more information.

EACH YEAR we help more than

states and Puerto Rico

Local AFGE NVAC Unions

203825

VA Workers

AFGE National VA Council

Media Center

Join our mailing list

We’re defending the right to a safe working environment. Each month the National VA Council shares a newsletter with information that affects your VA, your Local, and your life. If you are a member of AFGE and would like to stay up-to-date, let us know. Click the link below to sign up for our Keeping In Touch monthly newsletter with AFGE Insider.

AFGE

National VA Council

Master Agreement,Policy &Constitution

Global Settlement

Reminder

What we FIGHT for

Legal

What we FIGHT for

Mid-Term Bargaining

What we FIGHT for

From our Training & Education Department

Previous Training

Upcoming training

Find your local office

Media Center

Join our mailing list

Master Agreement,
Policy &
Constitution