National VA Council
@afgenvac.bsky.social
Official Bluesky account for AFGE National VA Council. We are a union representing over 300,000 employees of VA Medical Centers and National Cemeteries nationwide. We PROUDLY serve those who served!
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National VA Council
@afgenvac.bsky.social
· Nov 19
Congratulations to our new NVAC Officers.
President, MJ Burke
1st Executive Vice President, Barbara Whitson-Casanova
2nd Executive Vice President, Tinita Cole
3rd Executive Vice President, William Wetmore
Treasurer, Monica Fultz
President, MJ Burke
1st Executive Vice President, Barbara Whitson-Casanova
2nd Executive Vice President, Tinita Cole
3rd Executive Vice President, William Wetmore
Treasurer, Monica Fultz
A quote from NVAC 1st Executive VP, Barbara Whitson-Casanova, at the 25th Triennial Convention in Orlando, Florida.
December 19, 2025 at 2:54 PM
A quote from NVAC 1st Executive VP, Barbara Whitson-Casanova, at the 25th Triennial Convention in Orlando, Florida.
Reposted by National VA Council
Federal employees will get paid time off on Dec 24 and Dec 26, giving many a five-day holiday break around Christmas this year. Agency heads can still require work for national security defense or other public needs. via Sean Michael Newhouse buff.ly/YqPcxIF #FederalEmployees #FederalHolidays
Feds will have Dec. 24 and Dec. 26 off
Federal employees will now have a five-day weekend, beginning on Christmas Eve.
www.govexec.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Federal employees will get paid time off on Dec 24 and Dec 26, giving many a five-day holiday break around Christmas this year. Agency heads can still require work for national security defense or other public needs. via Sean Michael Newhouse buff.ly/YqPcxIF #FederalEmployees #FederalHolidays
"Republicans and Democrats alike are recognizing that you can’t run a functioning government by attacking the very workforce that keeps Americans safe," he said. "The bipartisan momentum in the House only strengthens our hand in the Senate, and I intend to build on it."
December 16, 2025 at 8:46 PM
"Republicans and Democrats alike are recognizing that you can’t run a functioning government by attacking the very workforce that keeps Americans safe," he said. "The bipartisan momentum in the House only strengthens our hand in the Senate, and I intend to build on it."
Read the article: www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
December 16, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Read the article: www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
The House voted 231-195 for the Protect America’s Workforce Act (HR 2550), which would rescind the union-busting executive orders President Trump issued in March and August.
December 12, 2025 at 4:05 PM
The House voted 231-195 for the Protect America’s Workforce Act (HR 2550), which would rescind the union-busting executive orders President Trump issued in March and August.
Reposted by National VA Council
The House voted 231-195 on Thursday to pass legislation that would nullify President Trump’s efforts to strip more than 1 million federal workers of their collective bargaining rights, sending the measure over to the Senate. buff.ly/MSvW9TF
House passes bill nullifying Trump’s anti-union EOs
Twenty Republicans crossed party lines to support legislation to unwind what opponents described as the largest act of “union busting” in U.S. history.
www.govexec.com
December 11, 2025 at 10:46 PM
The House voted 231-195 on Thursday to pass legislation that would nullify President Trump’s efforts to strip more than 1 million federal workers of their collective bargaining rights, sending the measure over to the Senate. buff.ly/MSvW9TF
A quote from NVAC President, MJ Burke, at the 25th Triennial Convention in Orlando, Florida.
December 11, 2025 at 9:32 PM
A quote from NVAC President, MJ Burke, at the 25th Triennial Convention in Orlando, Florida.
Reposted by National VA Council
Some people who left federal agencies say they didn’t quit by choice. OPM counts them as voluntary departures, but many say pressure pushed them out. Sr. Correspondent Eric Katz has the story: buff.ly/dVOo6AK
OPM says 92% of fed departures this year were voluntary. Those who left disagree
Staff only left "the most amazing job I could ever have" under significant pressure, former federal employees said.
www.govexec.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Some people who left federal agencies say they didn’t quit by choice. OPM counts them as voluntary departures, but many say pressure pushed them out. Sr. Correspondent Eric Katz has the story: buff.ly/dVOo6AK
"We don’t honor veterans by sidelining the people who care for them; nearly 30 percent of whom are veterans themselves. We honor them by upholding the democratic principles they fought for." - NVAC President MJ Burke
December 9, 2025 at 10:23 PM
"We don’t honor veterans by sidelining the people who care for them; nearly 30 percent of whom are veterans themselves. We honor them by upholding the democratic principles they fought for." - NVAC President MJ Burke
Now THIS is union power! Pass the Protect America's Workforce Act and restore collective bargaining rights for federal employees.
November 19, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Now THIS is union power! Pass the Protect America's Workforce Act and restore collective bargaining rights for federal employees.
Congratulations to our new NVAC Officers.
President, MJ Burke
1st Executive Vice President, Barbara Whitson-Casanova
2nd Executive Vice President, Tinita Cole
3rd Executive Vice President, William Wetmore
Treasurer, Monica Fultz
President, MJ Burke
1st Executive Vice President, Barbara Whitson-Casanova
2nd Executive Vice President, Tinita Cole
3rd Executive Vice President, William Wetmore
Treasurer, Monica Fultz
November 19, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Congratulations to our new NVAC Officers.
President, MJ Burke
1st Executive Vice President, Barbara Whitson-Casanova
2nd Executive Vice President, Tinita Cole
3rd Executive Vice President, William Wetmore
Treasurer, Monica Fultz
President, MJ Burke
1st Executive Vice President, Barbara Whitson-Casanova
2nd Executive Vice President, Tinita Cole
3rd Executive Vice President, William Wetmore
Treasurer, Monica Fultz
Reposted by National VA Council
Federal employees are receiving renewed furlough notices, and this time, there’s no guarantee of back pay in them. Sr. Correspondent Eric Katz explains it all here: buff.ly/Ildewii #FederalEmployees #Furlough #BackPay #shutdown
Employees are receiving renewed furlough notices as shutdown enters second month, this time without back pay guarantees
The shutdown is heading into November, sparking new, altered furlough notices to 650,000 employees.
www.govexec.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Federal employees are receiving renewed furlough notices, and this time, there’s no guarantee of back pay in them. Sr. Correspondent Eric Katz explains it all here: buff.ly/Ildewii #FederalEmployees #Furlough #BackPay #shutdown
NG: 10/20/25 - National Grievance against the Department of Veterans Affairs for its removal of the Union from VA Facility Committees.
NG: 10/21/25 - National Grievance against the Department of Veterans Affairs for its exclusion of the Union from New Employee Orientation.
NG: 10/21/25 - National Grievance against the Department of Veterans Affairs for its exclusion of the Union from New Employee Orientation.
October 31, 2025 at 3:05 PM
NG: 10/20/25 - National Grievance against the Department of Veterans Affairs for its removal of the Union from VA Facility Committees.
NG: 10/21/25 - National Grievance against the Department of Veterans Affairs for its exclusion of the Union from New Employee Orientation.
NG: 10/21/25 - National Grievance against the Department of Veterans Affairs for its exclusion of the Union from New Employee Orientation.
Reposted by National VA Council
A federal judge on Tuesday indefinitely blocked the Trump administration from carrying out layoffs during the government shutdown, saying the president’s actions were likely unlawful and taken for the purposes of political retribution. buff.ly/kZmOMtr
Shutdown layoffs indefinitely blocked following new court injunction
Trump administration attorney says guarantee of back pay justifies issuing widespread reductions in force, but judge finds the layoffs unlawful.
buff.ly
October 28, 2025 at 7:47 PM
A federal judge on Tuesday indefinitely blocked the Trump administration from carrying out layoffs during the government shutdown, saying the president’s actions were likely unlawful and taken for the purposes of political retribution. buff.ly/kZmOMtr
Read more here: www.afge.org/article/its-...
It’s Past Time to End This Shutdown
This week, Congress pushed our nation into the fourth week of a full government shutdown – an avoidable crisis that is harming families, communities, and the very institutions that hold our country to...
www.afge.org
October 27, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Read more here: www.afge.org/article/its-...
Reposted by National VA Council
I hosted a roundtable with federal workers impacted by furloughs, and AFGE 1128 President Alton McDonald offered to share his thoughts about this administration’s treatment of federal workers. Listen to his story:
October 16, 2025 at 2:21 AM
I hosted a roundtable with federal workers impacted by furloughs, and AFGE 1128 President Alton McDonald offered to share his thoughts about this administration’s treatment of federal workers. Listen to his story:
Let's go, Local 1012!
This morning I was honored to speak at the #nokings rally outside the Lyons VA hospital organized by the AFGE local 1012! NO KINGS IN THE USA!
October 22, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Let's go, Local 1012!
Reposted by National VA Council
Even amid a shutdown stalemate, federal workers could see paychecks without waiting if the Senate moves forward. Senior Correspondent Eric Katz has the story here: buff.ly/QB4c7Xk #Shutdown
Senate to vote on immediately paying feds working during shutdown as funding deal remains elusive
Democrats appear to oppose the idea, while Republicans suggest a long-term stopgap bill is possible if government does not reopen soon.
www.govexec.com
October 20, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Even amid a shutdown stalemate, federal workers could see paychecks without waiting if the Senate moves forward. Senior Correspondent Eric Katz has the story here: buff.ly/QB4c7Xk #Shutdown
Reposted by National VA Council
A crowd of thousands gathered in downtown Washington, D.C., Saturday as part of the nationwide anti-Trump 'No Kings' rallies with a long list of White House actions they were protesting against. buff.ly/uIRp0YK
Many federal employees bring 9 months of frustrations to ‘No Kings’ protest
Removals of government workers was one of a litany of issues brought up by attendees at the anti-Trump rally.
www.govexec.com
October 19, 2025 at 1:06 AM
A crowd of thousands gathered in downtown Washington, D.C., Saturday as part of the nationwide anti-Trump 'No Kings' rallies with a long list of White House actions they were protesting against. buff.ly/uIRp0YK
🐸 Saturday, October 18th. Nationwide. 🐸
October 17, 2025 at 12:26 PM
🐸 Saturday, October 18th. Nationwide. 🐸
We honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities, whose dedication and leadership strengthen not only our union but also our nation.
October 15, 2025 at 10:16 PM
We honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities, whose dedication and leadership strengthen not only our union but also our nation.
Reposted by National VA Council
A federal judge on Wednesday blocked the Trump administration from implementing any new or existing layoffs in relation to the shutdown, saying the cuts were likely illegal. buff.ly/kOQysWW
Judge blocks shutdown layoffs after finding Trump's actions are likely illegal
The Trump administration is leveraging the shutdown to declare "the laws don't apply to them anymore," judge says, adding, "they can't do that."
www.govexec.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:24 PM
A federal judge on Wednesday blocked the Trump administration from implementing any new or existing layoffs in relation to the shutdown, saying the cuts were likely illegal. buff.ly/kOQysWW
Reposted by National VA Council
Reposted by National VA Council
"I don't want folks to miss a paycheck, but I don't want just the military not to miss a paycheck," said Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich. “I want other government employees not to miss their paycheck too." Senior Correspondent Eric Katz has details here: buff.ly/5HVsHjs
Democrats float immediately paying feds working through shutdown as Congress again rejects bill to reopen government
In addition to the military, some senators say air traffic controllers and other civil servants should get their paychecks on time even as shutdown drags on.
www.govexec.com
October 9, 2025 at 9:11 PM
"I don't want folks to miss a paycheck, but I don't want just the military not to miss a paycheck," said Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich. “I want other government employees not to miss their paycheck too." Senior Correspondent Eric Katz has details here: buff.ly/5HVsHjs