Statement from Congressman John W. Mannion on the Trump Administration’s Termination of Union Contracts at the Department of Veterans Affairs

SYRACUSE, NY: Representative John W. Mannion (NY-22) today released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s termination of union contracts at the Department of Veterans Affairs:  

“Donald Trump’s unilateral decision to strip collective bargaining rights from tens of thousands of frontline VA employees is anti-worker, anti-veteran, and deeply misguided. It’s a clear continuation of his assault on labor rights, scapegoating of public servants, and breaking promises to working people.  

Many of the men and women who work in our VA facilities are veterans themselves, continuing their service by caring for fellow veterans and helping them access the benefits they’ve earned.  

In NY-22, the dedicated members of SEIU Local 200 help advance the Syracuse VA’s mission — and they deserve our full support. Undermining their workplace protections will only make it harder to recruit and retain qualified staff, leading to worse outcomes for the veterans they serve. 

That’s why I’ve signed on to the Protect America’s Workforce Act, which would restore collective bargaining rights to VA employees and other federal workers. I’m committed to doing everything I can to reverse this decision and stand up for workers and veterans. 

I’ll always fight for the right to organize, for a fair workplace, and for the dignity of American workers.”