AFGE Local 1020

06/22/2026

Good afternoon all… I wanted to take this time to reiterate to everyone how important it is to report issues to union officers in an accurate and timely fashion. And yes… we need you to record it in an email or complaint form with details (who, what, when, where, etc.).
We are working with a skeleton staff, and it’s essential we get complete details that we can address matters in as timely manner as possible.
Thanks.

06/18/2026

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1644222880486183&set=a.328622455379572

As many of you are aware, the VA recently requested to open our contract for renegotiation. NVAC has experienced hostile negotiations before. It appears that this VA has a distaste for transparency with the public and union members. The VA has requested that the NVAC sign a non-disclosure agreement before beginning our contract negotiations. If the agency plans to negotiate in good faith, what could the agency possibly have to hide?

NVAC fights to ensure that ALL VA employees have a voice in the workplace. Those who care for our veterans should be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect. A lack of transparency in the development of the union contract undermines VA employees and the trust they have in their leadership.

If you think that the VA should have transparency for VA employees, veterans, and the American public, share this post. Spread the word.

05/29/2026

The Agency placed many actions in 'abeyance' or hold until the court determines next steps.

One of those issues was the Return to In-Person work, doing away with Telework except in extreme instances.

So yes, even when we were evicted from campus, your Union was and continues to work for your rights.

https://afgenvac.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/NG-2-28-25-Return-to-Office-Directive.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawSFv5FleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe_KrYBBPo-VfwsvAFWqn9tjEqfsJhvkI80JcH0uZBF_FEFiamcZGhWAHcAkA_aem_A-EMBLmbJWmtITFk0z7uMA

05/28/2026

05/27/2026

https://www.facebook.com/100046954614577/posts/1624640812444390/

In a unanimous decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit kept the largest collective bargaining agreement covering Department of Veterans Affairs employees in place.

05/22/2026

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1173238538237468/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

05/22/2026

We knew this was coming…

VA Issues Notice to Renegotiate The Master Agreement
Dear VA Local Leaders,

On May 19, Mark Engelbaum, Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration, sent the attached letter to AFGE National President Kelley and NVAC President MJ Burke, indicating that VA was reopening the 2023 Master Agreement. Our Master Agreement is the strongest CBA not only within VA but across the federal government. It is no surprise that VA wants to reopen it and, once again, attempt to strip critical workplace rights and protections from bargaining unit employees and AFGE representatives.

Notice to Reopen 2023 Master Agreement
As you can see, the VA is taking a number of aggressive positions from the start. It appears that former VACO-LMR Executive Director, Michael Picerno, will be leading the negotiations for VA. Mr. Picerno was also the VA Chief Negotiator for a period of time during the first Trump administration. Also, VA contends that the 2023 MCBA will not apply to “non-exempted employees” as of August 8, 2026. As you know, VA has previously defined “non-exempted employees” to be everyone in the AFGE bargaining unit except police officers, firefighters, and security guards. That interpretation is at issue in NVAC’s ongoing court litigation in Rhode Island.

Rest assured, NVAC will take all necessary action to enforce the terms of the 2023 MCBA and the court orders related to our ongoing litigation in Rhode Island. NVAC has endured hostile negotiations in the past, and we are prepared to do so again. THIS UNION WILL NOT BACK DOWN.

05/22/2026

https://www.facebook.com/reel/912029061890448/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

05/18/2026

https://www.afge.org/publication/afge-national-va-council-celebrates-appeals-court-decision-upholding-reinstatement-of-its-union-contract/

Appeals court denies VA’s request to reinstate termination of AFGE NVAC contract pending appeal.

05/06/2026

Hello all, I sent out a Broadstripes message earlier. To clarify the confusing post from the VA earlier.

If you have eDues, you should NOT be reinstated with payroll deduction. If, on the off-chance you are, please reach out to me at [email protected] and we'll make it right.

I HIGHLY recommend folks stay with eDues, this insures that your membership is continuous and does not jeopardize your Union-only benefits like insurances, AFLAC, discounts, etc.. So in short... stay with EDues.

Thanks again!