(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - The Veterans Affairs (VA) Department has told Employees that it has let its Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) expire, weeks after a Federal Appeals Court ruling stayed an order requiring management to honor the deal amid negotiations for a successor deal.

As part of its efforts to implement President Trump’s Executive Order banning collective bargaining for most Federal Workers on national security grounds, the VA had sought for months to terminate its Union contracts, including two instances where the cancellation was blocked in Court.

In July, the VA announced it would let the contract lapse upon its scheduled August 8th expiration date.

AFGE Officials argued that when the VA last Spring requested to begin negotiations on a successor agreement, it triggered a clause in the CBA that extends its provisions indefinitely until those negotiations are complete.

But VA management said the Union failed to come to the bargaining table within 30 days, negating that provision.

Union Officials, conversely, argue the ground rules negotiations they engaged in throughout that 30-day window meet the clause’s requirements.

U.S. District Judge Melissa DuBose agreed and again halted the contract’s termination, but a three-Judge panel found that decision improperly modified the scope of her original injunction, allowing the Department to proceed.

In a message to Employees, obtained by Government Executive, VA management pitched the removal of AFGE as an opportunity to improve communication within the Department.

“Employees and managers can more freely engage in open communications to improve the organization,” the message stated. “You may also see changes to some of the processes and procedures that were previously contained in the now-expired AFGE Collective Bargaining Agreement. Managers have been directed to exclusively follow VA policy for all matters, including, but not limited to, promotions, alternative work schedules, details, hours of work, telework and leave usage. You are encouraged to discuss all workplace matters directly with your supervisor.”

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