Filed Date: Dec. 17, 2025
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
In 1978, Congress enacted the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute, U.S.C. § 7101 et seq. (“Chapter 71”), establishing a comprehensive labor-management relations framework for the federal workforce. Chapter 71 provides a narrow exception which suspends its operation if a federal agency has a primary function of national security and Chapter 71 cannot be applied “in a manner consistent with national security requirements and considerations.”
President Trump invoked this exception on March 27, 2025, through Executive Order 14251 to exclude thousands of federal employees from the protections of federal labor law, including the Plaintiffs employed at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”). Initially, on April 11, 2025, VA Secretary Douglas Collins, via authority delegated to him in the Executive Order, suspended the application of the Exclusion Order with respect to the Plaintiffs, restoring their labor rights. Months later without warning or explanation, Secretary Collins rescinded his suspension decision on November 7, 2025, eliminating Chapter 71 labor rights rights for all unions covered by the April 11 order, including the Plaintiffs (“Rescission Order”).
On December 17, 2025, several labor organizations representing affected VA employees, such as Registered Nurses, housekeepers, maintenance workers, and cemetery workers, filed suit against the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Secretary Collins, and President Trump. They brought suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island challenging the Rescission Order. The case was assigned to Judge Melissa R. DuBose.
In their complaint, the Plaintiffs alleged that Executive Order 14251 was ultra vires because it “exceed[ed] the limited authority granted by Congress in Section 7103(b) to exclude agencies from the coverage of Chapter 71.” The Order also allegedly “unlawfully abrogated Plaintiffs’ collective bargaining agreements without notice or an opportunity to be heard, in violation of the Fifth Amendment.” The Plaintiffs also alleged that the Rescission order violated the Administrative Procedure Act (“APA”) because it was arbitrary and capricious, and contrary to Chapter 71. The plaintiffs sought injunctive and declaratory relief to restore their statutory labor rights and collective bargaining agreements.
On January 12, 2026, the Plaintiffs filed a motion for preliminary injunction to enjoin the enforcement of the Rescission Order and restore their labor rights.
The case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Madena Mustafa (2/3/2026)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72046600/parties/united-nurses-association-of-californiaunion-of-healthcare-professionals/
Carter, Abigail V. (Rhode Island)
Ravindran, Ramya (Rhode Island)
Rowell, J. Alexander (Rhode Island)
Shadgett, Lane Martin (Rhode Island)
Wiens, Elizabeth A. (Rhode Island)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72046600/united-nurses-association-of-californiaunion-of-healthcare-professionals/
Last updated March 6, 2026, 3:14 a.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: Dec. 17, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Labor Unions: Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, Local 5000, AFT, AFL-CIO, Laborers' International Union of North America Local 1029, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 1998, Laborers' International Union of North America Local 1322, Laborers' International Union of North America Local 572, United Nurses Association of California/Union of Healthcare Professionals, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 415
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal
Douglas Collins
President Donald Trump
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.
Ex Parte Young (Federal) or Bivens
Constitutional Clause(s):
Other Dockets:
District of Rhode Island 1:25-cv-00674
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority: