Arizona Union Members and Elected Officials Stand with VA Workers Following Phoenix Rally 

PHOENIX, AZ - On Tuesday, November 10th, members of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) rallied outside the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Benefits Office in Phoenix to protect VA workers, veterans, and the collective bargaining rights of the employees who provide essential services to our nation's veterans. 

The rally resulted from the ongoing fight between AFGE, which represents more than 300,000 VA employees through its National VA Council, and the VA over the department’s repeated attempts to terminate its collective bargaining agreement with the union. 

As we honor our nation's veterans this Veterans Day, we must also recognize the VA employees who dedicate their careers to serving them. Approximately one-third of these workers are veterans themselves. “These are the nurses who care for veterans after surgery, the claims processors who make sure veterans get the benefits they were promised, and the support staff who keep our VA hospitals running,” said Congressman Greg Stanton. “That’s why I was proud to cosponsor the vote for the bipartisan Protect America’s Workforce Act, and in the next Congress, I’ll keep fighting to restore these rights.”

Since 2025, the VA has made repeated attempts to terminate its collective bargaining agreement with AFGE. On October 10, 2026, the department notified the union that it considered its 2023 agreement expired and would no longer recognize AFGE as the exclusive representative of most VA employees. Police officers, firefighters, and security guards are exempt.

“The efforts of President Donald Trump’s administration to deny VA workers the union representation they deserve and have earned is reprehensible,” said Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva. “I have a VA Medical Center in my district that is vital for thousands of southern Arizona veterans. I will fight against efforts, or any administration, to privatize VA services.” 

Omar Algeciras, Regional Vice President of AFGE Local 2391 (Department of Labor), said, “They are trying to tell us that we don’t have a union, but as long as we are working there, as long as we are together, we will always have a union.”

Protecting the workers who care for our veterans is part of protecting the care and services our veterans deserve. Arizona’s labor movement stands with AFGE members in their continued fight. 

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