Filed Date: Nov. 4, 2025
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
On November 4, 2025, American Federation of Government Employees National Veterans Affairs Council (NVAC) and American Federation of Government Employees Local 2305 filed suit in the U.S. District Court of Rhode Island against the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). NVAC is an autonomous labor organization affiliated with the American Federation of Government Employees that represents, and bargains on behalf of, more than 300,000 bargaining unit employees at the VA. Since August 8, 2023, the VA and NVAC have been parties to the 2023 Master Collective Bargaining Agreement (Master Agreement) that recognizes NVAC’s right as the sole and exclusive representative of the VA bargaining unit employees that it represents and that provides those employees with a variety of workplace rights.
In their complaint, plaintiffs allege that on August 6, 2025, VA Secretary Douglas Collins unlawfully terminated the Master Agreement and informed NVAC that the VA would no longer recognize NVAC as the exclusive representative of over 300,000 bargaining unit employees. Plaintiffs alleged that the termination was arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) because Secretary Collins did not provide a rationale for termination, nor did he adhere to the requirements and text of Executive Order 1425 - the Executive Order providing authority to terminate federal collective bargaining agreements. Plaintiffs further alleged that the termination violated their First Amendment and Equal Protection Rights because this termination was unconstitutional retaliation and viewpoint discrimination for perceived opposition to President Trump's agenda. Plaintiffs asked for declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent defendants from terminating the Master Agreement.
This case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Melissa R. DuBose.
On November 25, 2025, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint, alleging that terminating the master agreement also violated plaintiffs' Fifth Amendment right to equal protection because the plaintiffs were treated as disfavored solely because they were viewed as politically and ideologically opposed to the Trump Administration and otherwise "hostile" to the Administration's initiatives.
Also on November 25, 2025, plaintiffs moved for a preliminary injunction, asking the court to reinstate the master agreement.
This case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Melissa R. DuBose.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Nick Martire (11/11/2025)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71873221/parties/american-federation-of-government-employees-local-2305-v-united-states/
Dooley, Brook (Rhode Island)
Iafrate, Carly B. (Rhode Island)
Li, JiLon (Rhode Island)
Reeves, Taylor L. (Rhode Island)
Silva, Travis (Rhode Island)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71873221/american-federation-of-government-employees-local-2305-v-united-states/
Last updated March 6, 2026, 3:23 a.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Public Benefits/Government Services
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: Nov. 4, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Plaintiffs are American Federation of Government Employees National Veterans Affairs Council (NVAC) and American Federation of Government Employees Local 2305, who represent over 300,000 federal employees at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Douglas Collins
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.
Constitutional Clause(s):
Other Dockets:
District of Rhode Island 1:25-cv-00583
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority: