Union Veterans Council, AFL-CIO

06/23/2026

Our Executive Director gets personal on this! AFL-CIO

Veterans earned their health care benefits through their service to our country. Congress should reject the omnibus VA bill moving on Capitol Hill, which would accelerate the privatizing of VA care, cut veterans' benefits, and restrict workers’ collective bargaining rights.

06/18/2026

"No changes are planned or imminent."

That's VA's position.

The argument that veterans should accept benefit cuts because they're inevitable doesn't hold up.

And even if it did, veterans shouldn't have to fund veterans' benefits.

We support the help. We reject the offset.

https://www.govexec.com/management/2026/06/gops-va-overhaul-bill-narrows-some-employees-rights-spurs-privatization-union-says/414230/

06/17/2026

Congress is attempting a cynical bait-and-switch with our veterans. The newly introduced Take Care of America’s Veterans Act (TCAVA) includes critical, long-overdue wins like the Major Richard Star Act—but Washington is trying to fund it by cutting $60 billion from newly disabled service members.

This omnibus trap pays for expanded benefits by permanently stripping disability ratings for sleep apnea and completely erasing standalone compensation for tinnitus. On top of that, it lays the groundwork for permanent VA privatization and public sector staff layoffs. Wounded and injured veterans are not a ledger entry to be balanced against.

The Union Veterans Council stands firmly with all veterans and VSO's in opposing these cruel offsets. We demand Congress split the bill and pass a CLEAN version of the Major Richard Star Act.

Contact your representative and demand a no vote on this bill. Find your rep here:
https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

AFL-CIO AFGE AFGE National VA Council

06/12/2026

🚨 CONGRESS IS PLAYING A CYNICAL SHELL GAME WITH VETERANS BENEFITS. 🚨
​The newly introduced Take Care of America’s Veterans Act (TCAVA) contains critical, long-overdue wins like the Major Richard Star Act—but Washington is forcing an austerity agenda to pay for it by picking the pockets of newly disabled service members.
​This omnibus trap funds expanded benefits by permanently slashing disability ratings for sleep apnea and eliminating standalone compensation for tinnitus. On top of that, it lays the groundwork for permanent VA privatization and potential public sector staff layoffs.
​Just yesterday, delegates at the AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention passed Resolution 18, drawing a hard line against corporate greed and the erosion of public infrastructure. We are carrying that exact mandate straight to Capitol Hill. Tinnitus from the flight line and sleep apnea from toxic exposures are real injuries. Stripping compensation from one group of veterans to pay for another is an absolute betrayal.
​The Union Veterans Council will not stand by while the public VA is hollowed out and turned into a corporate voucher system. We demand Congress pass a CLEAN version of the Major Richard Star Act.
​👇 Read our full press release and see our complete analysis of the bill here:
AFL-CIO AFGE AFGE National VA Council
​

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Union Veterans Council, AFL-CIO, issued a sharp condemnation of the newly introduced Take Care of America’s Veterans Act (TCAVA), warning that the legislation relies on an unconscionable budgetary trade-off.

06/10/2026

Today, the below resolution was submitted by the Union Veterans Council, AFL-CIO , at the AFL-CIO convention. It was read and supported unanimously! Solidarity for our federal worker force, protecting a fully staffed and funded VA! Core principals of the UVC and now the power of the 15 million members of the Afl cio stand behind it! AFGE

AFL-CIO condemns the coordinated attacks on the Department of Veterans Affairs and firmly declares its unwavering opposition to any efforts to privatize, downsize, or dismantle the VA healthcare and benefits systems.

06/09/2026

Day 2 is behind us at the AFL-CIO convention and we continue the business today!

06/07/2026

Day 1 for the AFL-CIO convention is in the books! Congratulations to President Shuler and Secretary Redmond on their reelection!

The Union Veterans where well represented today and our collective mission was shared with all attendees. We will continue to advocate and educate the importance of veteran issues and elevation of veterans into leadership roles in labor. We are inherently talented leaders and our skills will propel organized labor into the future!

Also a shout out to my union Utility Workers Union of America and president James Slevin and secretary Mike Coleman! Great to be seated next to them as delegates!

06/07/2026

Are you a union veteran attending the AFL-CIO ? Stop by the UVC booth to grab some stickers, talk veteran issues and learn how to create your own committee in your union or labor council!

06/06/2026

Just wanted to share some teaser photos of the Solidarity Hall for you all. If your at the AFL-CIO convention, please come find us at our booth!

06/05/2026

Headline: Honoring the Heroes of D-Day: Valor and Sacrifice
Today, we remember the unparalleled courage of the Allied forces who stormed the beaches of Normandy 80 years ago. Their bravery on June 6, 1944, changed the course of history and paved the way for freedom. The Union Veterans Council AFL-CIO stands in profound gratitude to all who served, especially the 'Greatest Generation' who gave so much.
​